Migraine
Migraine is a common neurological condition causing recurrent, often one-sided, throbbing headaches, frequently with nausea, light and sound sensitivity, and sometimes visual ‘aura’. Most people benefit from trigger identification, acute treatment with simple painkillers or triptans, and — for frequent attacks — preventive medication. A GP can confirm the pattern and rule out other causes.
Key information
- Symptom
- Migraine
- Category
- Brain & nervous system
- Common possible causes
- Genetic predisposition, Poor or irregular sleep, Skipped meals and dehydration, Hormonal changes (menstrual migraine)
- Tests that may be considered
- Full blood count, Ferritin (iron deficiency can worsen migraine), Vitamin D, Thyroid function
- Clinic assessment
- Available same day
- Home doctor visit
- Available across Dubai
- Home blood test
- Available across Dubai
- Date reviewed
- 2026-07-01
What this symptom means
A migraine attack is a moderate to severe headache lasting 4–72 hours, usually pulsating, worsened by activity and often accompanied by nausea, light and sound sensitivity. Some people experience a visual, sensory or speech ‘aura’ before the pain.
Common possible causes
- · Genetic predisposition
- · Poor or irregular sleep
- · Skipped meals and dehydration
- · Hormonal changes (menstrual migraine)
- · Bright light, loud noise or strong smells
- · Alcohol, especially red wine
- · Caffeine excess or withdrawal
- · Stress or the ‘let-down’ after stress
Less common possible causes
- · Certain foods (aged cheese, chocolate) in susceptible people
- · Weather and pressure changes
- · Some medications, including nitrates and combined oral contraceptives
Serious causes that must not be missed
- · Rarely, migraine-like headaches can be caused by other neurological conditions and need exclusion when the pattern changes
- · New neurological symptoms that do not resolve
- · Aura lasting more than an hour or with weakness
- · Sudden ‘worst-ever’ headache
- · Migraine with aura and combined hormonal contraceptive use — increased stroke risk
Call 998 (UAE ambulance) or attend the nearest emergency department for any of the above.
When a same-day GP is appropriate
- · First-ever severe headache
- · Migraine not responding to usual medication
- · Aura with new weakness or speech difficulty
When a routine GP appointment is fine
- · Recurrent migraine needing a preventive plan
- · Menstrual migraine assessment
- · Review of medication-overuse headache
Questions a doctor may ask
- · How often do you get attacks and how long do they last?
- · Is the headache one-sided and throbbing?
- · Any nausea, light or sound sensitivity?
- · Do you experience aura — visual, sensory or speech changes?
- · What triggers have you noticed?
- · How many days per month do you take painkillers?
- · Do you use combined hormonal contraception?
History factors that may matter
- · Family history of migraine
- · Menstrual cycle pattern
- · Perimenopause
- · Sleep and shift-work pattern
Medicines that may contribute
- · Frequent codeine or triptan use (medication-overuse headache)
- · Combined hormonal contraceptives (in aura)
Never stop a prescribed medication without discussing it with a clinician.
What may happen during the examination
- · Blood pressure
- · Focused neurological examination
- · Review of headache diary if kept
Tests that may be considered
Blood tests
- · Full blood count
- · Ferritin (iron deficiency can worsen migraine)
- · Vitamin D
- · Thyroid function
Other tests
- · MRI head only where indicated by red flags or atypical pattern
When a specialist referral may be considered
- · Neurology for refractory migraine, chronic migraine (>15 headache days/month), or diagnostic uncertainty
Possible treatment approaches
- · Acute: paracetamol or ibuprofen early in attack
- · Acute: triptan (e.g. sumatriptan) for confirmed migraine
- · Anti-nausea medication as needed
- · Preventive medication for frequent attacks (e.g. propranolol, amitriptyline, topiramate)
- · Newer CGRP-targeted preventives via specialist
Safe self-care
- · Regular sleep, meals and hydration
- · Keep a migraine diary to spot triggers
- · Structured stress and relaxation strategy
- · Reduce screen strain and take regular breaks
Best avoided
- · Painkiller use on more than 2 days per week
- · Skipping meals and prolonged fasting
- · Combined hormonal contraception if you have migraine with aura
How Aafiyah can help
- · British-trained GP diagnosis and management plan
- · Prescription of acute and preventive migraine treatments
- · Blood tests at home to exclude contributing deficiencies
- · Neurology referral where required
Frequently asked questions
How is migraine different from a tension headache?+
Migraine is usually one-sided, throbbing, moderate to severe, and worsened by activity, often with nausea and light or sound sensitivity. Tension headache is usually bilateral, band-like, mild to moderate, and not typically associated with nausea.
Can I get preventive migraine treatment in Dubai?+
Yes — a GP can start standard preventives such as propranolol, amitriptyline or topiramate, and refer to a neurologist for CGRP-targeted therapies if needed.
Can hormones cause migraine?+
Yes — menstrual migraine is common. If you have migraine with aura, combined hormonal contraception should be avoided due to increased stroke risk.
Medical references
- · NICE CKS — Migraine — cks.nice.org.uk
- · British Association for the Study of Headache guideline — bash.org.uk
Medically reviewed by: Dr Shahbaz Afzal — British-trained Family Medicine Consultant, DHA-licensed
Written: 2026-07-01 · Reviewed: 2026-07-01 · Next review: 2027-01-01
This page provides general medical information for people in Dubai and the UAE. It does not replace personal medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified clinician about any medical concern.
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