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A migraine episode may have up to four distinct stages or phases, each of varying duration: prodrome, aura, headache, and postdrome. However, not everyone experiences all four stages each time.

Migraine affects more than 1 billion people worldwide, including children. Migraine isn’t just a headache; it’s a neurological condition with neurological symptoms.

Symptoms of migraine can include:

  • severe throbbing pain, typically on one side of the head
  • visual disturbances
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • dizziness
  • heightened sensitivity to light, smell, or touch
  • tingling or numbness in the face or extremities

Migraine can be a chronic condition that severely affects quality of life, making it a serious health concern. Knowing the stages of migraine can help you address the symptoms early and potentially help minimize its effects.

The prodrome stage, also called the premonitory phase, can begin 1 to 2 days before the headache itself.

Not everyone experiences prodrome. Women are more likely to experience it than men.

Symptoms can include:

Halting migraine

The key to stopping a migraine episode is early recognition and treatment. Treatments are more likely to be successful when you start them early rather than waiting to see if the symptoms get worse.

If a doctor has prescribed medications like gepants or triptans for your migraine, taking it during the prodrome stage can help stop a migraine episode.

Not every migraine episode has an aura. About one-quarter of people with migraine experience aura but may not experience it with every episode.

Those who have migraine with aura experience neurological symptoms (the aura) 5 to 60 minutes before the headache. In some cases, these symptoms may continue during the headache phase.

Visual symptoms, like flashing lights, zigzag lines, and blind spots, are most common in auras. Other aura symptoms can include:

  • numbness or tingling in the face or limbs
  • impairments or disturbances in taste, smell, or touch
  • weakness in the face or limbs
  • partial vision loss
  • changes in speech

If you have any new neurological symptoms, it’s important to get medical attention, as these could be symptoms of a stroke or another medical emergency. If you have been diagnosed with migraine aura and have recurrent aura symptoms, then you can treat the symptoms as part of your migraine.

Rescue treatments for migraine

Putting a cold compress on your forehead may relieve symptoms. Also, if a doctor has prescribed a medication for your migraine, taking it can help decrease symptoms.

These medications can include:

The classic throbbing pain of a migraine headache is the headache stage. This can last hours to days.

In adults, this headache pain is usually on one side of the head. In children, it’s more likely to affect both sides.

Symptoms can vary, but they may include:

  • increased sensitivity to light and sound
  • nausea, vomiting, or both
  • dizziness
  • pulsing or throbbing head or neck pain
  • mood changes
  • difficulty sleeping

Migraine treatment

Most treatments for migraine work best when used as soon as possible after symptoms appear.

Many people carry their medication with them all the time for this reason. If you can’t take your medication as soon as symptoms appear, take it when you can.

OTC treatments like aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen help some people.

If these don’t work, a prescription medication may be necessary. Prescription medications can fall into one of several classes:

  • Triptans: These balance the chemicals in the brain. Examples include sumatriptan, rizatriptan, and zolmitriptan (Zomig), among others.
  • Ergot derivatives: These affect the blood vessel diameter. Examples include ergotamine tartrate and DHE.
  • Gepants: These are a newer type of therapy that targets receptors on sensory nerves.
  • Ditans: These are also fairly new. Since ditans don’t affect blood vessels, they may be safer for older adults and people at risk of heart disease or stroke.

Sometimes, you have to try different medications to find the one that works best for you. If your current treatment isn’t relieving symptoms or working, speak with a doctor.

The postdrome stage is also known as a migraine hangover. It starts when the peak pain of the headache has lessened.

Migraine can affect the entire body. During the postdrome stage, the resulting pain or discomfort can occur anywhere in the body.

Postdrome can last up to 48 hours, but it doesn’t affect everyone, and it doesn’t have to occur after each headache. People with migraine can experience the stage differently, and not everyone’s symptoms will be the same.

Symptoms of postdrome can include:

Postdrome treatment

You can reduce or prevent postdrome symptoms by:

  • staying hydrated throughout the migraine episode
  • stretching or doing light activities after the headache
  • reducing stress, if possible
  • avoiding migraine triggers, if possible
  • using a migraine medication early in the episode

Contact a doctor if:

  • you have several headaches per month, with each lasting hours to days
  • your headaches affect your work, home life, or school functioning
  • you have nausea, vomiting, or sensory disturbances with your headaches
  • you have severe headaches with a stiff neck
  • you have pain around the ear or eye
  • your headaches just started out of the blue
  • you experience the sudden onset of a severe headache, as this could be a thunderclap headache, which may indicate bleeding in the brain

Some people can feel a migraine episode coming on because of the associated sensory symptoms.

Some people note that certain events or foods can trigger their migraine. Avoiding these triggers can help you reduce the risk of having a migraine episode. It’s hard to predict a migraine episode before any symptoms occur.

Knowing the difference between a headache and migraine can also be helpful.

Migraine episodes may progress through several stages. Although not everyone will progress through every stage each time, and the symptoms may vary, knowing the general stages can be helpful in seeking treatment and finding ways to reduce the symptoms.