Migraine, Migraine Aura and Migraine Prevention: A Practical Guide

Migraine episodes often have a recognisable shape, and that shape can change over time. Throbbing pain, often on one side, nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light or sound are commonly reported. Some people notice tiredness, yawning, food cravings, thirst, mood change or a stiff neck before head pain. Others feel drained, foggy or unable to concentrate afterwards. Recording stages around the pain gives a fuller picture of migraine’s effect on work, study, childcare, travel and sleep. The NHS describes migraine as a set of symptoms rather than headache pain alone. [2]

A migraine aura is a temporary neurological symptom that occurs for some, not all, people with migraine. It may include flashing lights, zigzags, blind areas, tingling, numbness, dizziness or difficulty speaking. Write down when it started, how it developed, when it ended and whether head pain followed. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke notes that aura can affect vision, speech or sensation and usually occurs before the attack. [1] A familiar label should not prevent someone from seeking prompt assessment for a new, different or worrying neurological symptom.

A description such as ‘left-side headache’ is a useful detail, not a diagnosis. Migraine can be one-sided, but tension-type headache, cluster headache, infection, medication overuse and other neurological or vascular conditions can also cause headache. Hong Kong Adventist Hospital notes that migraine may affect one side and may include nausea, vomiting and light sensitivity, while headache causes can be varied. [4] If you are asking yourself Is one-sided headache always a migraine?, use the wider symptom pattern and a clinical assessment rather than location alone.

Bring the diary, a medicine and supplement list, and relevant prior diagnoses to a consultation. The aim is to show the sequence clearly, not to arrive with a fixed explanation. A clinician may ask when attacks began, how often they occur, how long they last, what the pain feels like, whether aura or other symptoms occur, and what came before them. NINDS explains that health history and neurological examination help determine what may be causing migraine-like symptoms, while scans are not routinely used simply to diagnose migraine. [1] Your answers can help decide whether the next step is acute treatment advice, prevention planning, further assessment or referral.

It can be helpful to divide questions into ‘today’ and ‘between attacks’. Today’s questions concern the agreed plan for an episode: when to use prescribed treatment, which symptoms mean the plan no longer fits, and who to contact. Between-attack questions concern recurring triggers, sleep and meal regularity, frequency, medicines and possible preventive options. This avoids expecting an approach discussed for migraine prevention to reliably stop an attack already underway. If the diary suggests a relationship with work patterns, weekends or cycle timing, bring those observations without assuming they are the only explanation.

A familiar migraine history does not rule out danger signs. Seek urgent medical assessment for a headache that starts suddenly and is extremely painful, or for new speaking difficulty, loss of vision or double vision, drowsiness or confusion, seizure, high fever with a stiff neck, one-sided face or limb weakness, or headache after a head injury. NHS urgent guidance lists these features as reasons for emergency help. [2] An aura lasting longer than usual or an unusually prolonged attack also deserves timely medical advice. Do not wait for a TCM appointment.

For non-urgent recurring symptoms, prepare rather than panic. Keep the diary available, list current medicines and allergies, and note the main change you want assessed. If a doctor already manages your migraine, include that advice in the conversation. A TCM enquiry can concern supportive care and prevention, while medical diagnosis and acute treatment remain important parts of safe care. Ask how the practitioner would work alongside your existing plan before deciding whether to arrange a consultation.

If you would like to enquire with TCM Lab, use WhatsApp +852 6940 5663 to describe the main concern, whether symptoms are currently stable, the location you prefer and any language needs. Consultation arrangements are made by appointment. You can compare travel options at the Kwun Tong Chinese medicine clinic or the Chinese medicine clinic Prince Edward page. For transparent planning before you message, see the Chinese medicine clinic price list Hong Kong.