Mary Betz asked:


Why do migraine headache symptoms last so long? That’s a good question, one that I hear often, and the reason I started this article out that way. So many times a patient will come to me with that question, wondering why do headaches last 2 days, 3 weeks, or even months without letting up?

Generally, migraine headache symptoms last 4-72 hours, and many times a simple dose of an anti-inflammatory and a good nights sleep will stop a headache. But if you are one of the chronic sufferers, then you know that a migraine can last..well…..forever.

Migraines are often labeled with different terms such as common migraine, classic migraine, vascular headache, stress headache, tension headache, aura, migraineur, status migrainosus, Raeder syndrome, histamine cephalalgia, histamine headache, sphenopalatine neuralgia, eye pain headache, severe headache, Horton’s neuralgia, and estrogen-withdrawal headache

A true migraine is accompanied by light sensitivity, noise sensitivity and even sensitivity to smells. This is due to the “central sensitization” in the brain. In other words, the nerves in your brain are overly sensitive. It may have nausea and vomiting but other symptoms of migraine can occur. You may feel hunger or lack of it. You might be irritable (gee..think so?) and even feel confused. Your friends and family will say that you look confused and might be slurring your speech.

You may also feel like your hands and feet are cold and can feel like they are tingling. A stuffy nose leads many to believe that they have a sinus headache. Not true! The same nerve that causes blood vessels to dilate and pound and throb also ends near nasal tissue…hello stuffy nose!

Most female migraineurs also have headaches during their menstrual cycle, which is a common migraine trigger. If your headache is during your menstrual cycle then you are having what is known as menstrual migraine. Additional triggers for migraine include food items and of course, prolonged unrelieved stress! Another trigger for migraine that many people have trouble grasping is depression and other mood disorders. Depression is strongly linked to migraine.

If your headache has gone beyond three days, and you cannot break the pain with your normal migraine headache treatments, you are now in status migrainosus. Unfortunately, at this point oral triptans, such as Imitrex may or may not work. You might possibly benefit from a one week course of steroids (low dose) called a Medrol Dose pak, or you may need IV medications. Before sitting in an emergency room for hours (headaches go the end of the line, right?) try an acute care center. They might not be as busy, and they can still treat you.

Treatment of migraine involves utilizing many venues. If you believe that a pill will cure migraines, then you may have difficulty with your headaches and they will not improve. Migraines improve from a combination of lifestyle changes, alternative therapies, and medications.

Migraine