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Migraine symptoms
There is a common misconception that migraine is ‘just a headache’, but a migraine attack can affect the whole body.3,4
While regular headaches typically feel like a dull, tight band around the head (tension headache), migraine pain is typically pulsating or throbbing and usually affects one side of the head, although it can affect both.1,4-5
Migraines can also cause extreme sensitivity to light, sound, and sometimes smells. Attacks are often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and fatigue. Regular headaches usually only involve head pain alone.1,4-5
Tension headaches might last a few hours, but a migraine attack can typically last between 4–72 hours.1,4-5
Some people experience “aura” with their migraines, while others do not.1,4 Aura is a group of symptoms that can happen before or during a migraine, including problems with sight, numbness (or a tingling that feels like pins and needles), feeling dizzy and difficulty speaking.1,4 Most people have migraine without aura.1
Types of migraine
Migraine can be described as either episodic or chronic, depending on how often it happens.
Migraine attacks usually last between 4 hours and 3 days, with early symptoms (such as feeling very tired) starting hours or up to 2 days before the head pain starts and finishing after the headache stops.4
Chronic migraine means having headaches on 15 or more days each month, with at least 8 of those involving migraine symptoms, over a period of 3 months or more.6 People with chronic migraine are more likely to live with frequent symptoms and other health conditions at the same time.7
Episodic migraine is less frequent, with less than 15 headache days each month.6
Living with migraine
Migraine of any type can have a big impact on day-to-day life. For some people, it can make it harder to care for others, socialise and work, and it can also affect mental wellbeing.9,10
It’s important to be honest with your healthcare professional about how migraine affects you. By completing your Migraine Profile, you can share your personal migraine experience—helping you to have more open, focused conversations with your healthcare team.
References
1. The Migraine Trust. What is a migraine? Available at: https://migrainetrust.org/understand-migraine/what-is-migraine/ Accessed August 2026.
2. The Migraine Trust. Heading in the wrong direction: Challenges in migraine care and why people with migraine deserve better. Available at: https://migrainetrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/TMT-Heading-In-The-Wrong-Direction-2023-FINAL.pdf
3. The Migraine Trust. Stigma of migraine leading to thousands struggling without care. Available at: migrainetrust.org/news/stigma-of-migraine-leading-to-thousands-struggling-without-care/. Accessed August 2026.
4. NHS. Migraine. Available at: www.nhs.uk/conditions/migraine/. Accessed August 2026.
5. NICE. Headache-tension type. Available at: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/headache-tension-type/diagnosis/clinical-features/. Accessed August 2026.
6. NICE. Migraine: What is it? Available at: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/migraine/background-information/definition/. Accessed August 2026.
7. Ferrari MD, et al. Migraine. Nat Rev Dis Primers 2022;8:2.
8. The Migraine Trust. Migraine Attack Triggers. Available at: https://migrainetrust.org/live-with-migraine/self-management/common-triggers/#page-section-1. Accessed August 2026.
9. Begasse de Dhaem O and Sakai F. Migraine in the workplace. eNeurologicalSci 2022;27:100408.
10. The Migraine Trust. State of the Migraine Nation Dismissed for too long: Recommendations to improve migraine care in the UK. Available at: https://migrainetrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Dismissed-for-too-long_Recommendations-to-improve-migraine-care-in-the-UK.pdf. Accessed August 2026.
UK-ABBV-260213
August 2026
