Overview
In this section you will get an overview of the condition and its relevance to your health.
Migraine is far more than an ordinary headache. It is one of the most common neurological conditions and affects women more frequently than men. Many sufferers experience recurring, sometimes very severe headache attacks that significantly limit daily life.
In addition to pain, common accompanying symptoms include nausea, sensitivity to light, and visual disturbances. Migraine attacks can last hours to days and are extremely burdensome for many affected individuals.
Whether and which prescription-only therapy is suitable is assessed individually as part of a medical consultation -- also available online.
What is it?
Here you will learn what medically characterizes this condition and how it is defined.
Migraine is a chronic neurological condition characterized by episodic headaches. The pain is usually one-sided, pulsating, and worsens with physical activity.
Several forms are distinguished:
- Migraine without aura
- Migraine with aura (e.g., visual disturbances before the attack)
- Chronic migraine
The exact mechanisms are complex. Changes in neuronal stimulus processing and inflammatory processes in the brain play a central role.
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Causes
The following information explains which factors can contribute to the development of this condition.
The causes of migraine are not fully understood. It involves an interplay of genetic and environmental factors.
Common triggers include:
- Stress or relaxation phases after stress
- Sleep deprivation or irregular sleep
- Hormonal fluctuations (e.g., menstruation)
- Certain foods or alcohol
- Weather changes
Not every trigger causes an attack in every person.
Symptoms
This section describes the typical signs and symptoms you should watch for.
Migraine presents with characteristic symptoms.
Typical symptoms include:
- Severe, pulsating headache
- Usually one-sided pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sensitivity to light, noise, and odors
Aura symptoms may include:
- Flickering or flashes in the visual field
- Sensory disturbances
- Speech difficulties
Warning signs that should be medically evaluated include sudden-onset, very severe headaches or new neurological symptoms.
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Diagnosis
Below you will learn how this condition is detected through medical examinations.
The diagnosis of migraine is based on the typical symptoms and medical history.
Imaging procedures such as MRI or CT are only necessary in atypical cases or when warning signs are present.
A headache diary helps to assess attack frequency, triggers, and treatment success.
As part of an online consultation, symptoms can be systematically recorded and a therapy recommendation provided.
Treatment
Here the available therapy options and their modes of action are explained.
Migraine treatment is divided into acute therapy and preventive therapy.
Acute therapy:
- Pain relievers such as ibuprofen or aspirin
- Triptans for moderate to severe attacks
- Antiemetics for nausea
Preventive therapy:
- Beta-blockers
- Antidepressants
- Anticonvulsants
- CGRP antibodies for severe migraine
Important notes:
- Do not take pain relievers too frequently (risk of medication-overuse headache)
- Therapy should be individually tailored
Available medications
Various prescription medications are available for treatment. Click on a medication to learn more about its effects, dosage and side effects.
From the magazine
In-depth articles from our editorial team on this topic.
- Cannabis bei Migräne: Was die Studienlage hergibtZwischen Hoffnung und Hype: Was die Forschung zu Cannabis bei Migräne tatsächlich zeigt — und warum etablierte Therapien die erste Wahl bleiben.
- Migräne-Prophylaxe: Attacken vorbeugen statt nur behandelnWer häufig unter Migräne leidet, muss nicht jeder Attacke hilflos zusehen. Eine gezielte Prophylaxe kann Anfälle deutlich reduzieren – so funktioniert sie.
- Cannabis bei Schmerzen, Schlafstörungen und Angst: Was die Forschung sagtMedizinisches Cannabis wird bei chronischen Schmerzen, Schlafstörungen und Angst eingesetzt. Erfahren Sie, was die aktuelle Forschung sagt und wann Cannabis helfen kann.
- Schlafhygiene: 10 Tipps für besseren Schlaf ohne MedikamenteEtwa ein Drittel der Deutschen schläft schlecht. Mit den richtigen Schlafhygiene-Maßnahmen lässt sich die Schlafqualität oft deutlich verbessern — ganz ohne Medikamente.
- Gefährliche Wechselwirkungen: Diese Medikamente vertragen sich nichtMillionen Deutsche nehmen täglich mehrere Medikamente gleichzeitig. Doch manche Kombinationen sind gefährlich. Erfahren Sie, welche Wechselwirkungen Sie kennen sollten.
- Stress & Burnout: Wenn die Psyche den Körper krank machtChronischer Stress und Burnout machen nicht nur psychisch, sondern auch körperlich krank. Erfahren Sie, welche Warnsignale Ihr Körper sendet und was Sie dagegen tun können.
Prevention
This section provides guidance on prevention and reducing risk factors.
Regular lifestyle habits are important for preventing migraine attacks.
Recommended measures include:
- Regular sleep-wake cycle
- Stress management
- Endurance exercise
- Avoiding known triggers
Non-pharmacological measures can meaningfully complement medication therapy.
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FAQ
Here you will find answers to frequently asked questions on this topic.
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Important notice
This content is for general information only. In case of severe pain, shortness of breath, impaired consciousness, fever > 39°C or rapidly worsening symptoms, please seek immediate medical help (Emergency 112).
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