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Migrain & Sakit Kepala: Causes, Relief & When to Worry

Migrain (migraine) is a condition that causes attacks of throbbing, often one-sided headache, usually with nausea and sensitivity to light and sound, lasting from 4 hours to 3 days. It is different from an everyday sakit kepala (headache), which, according to the NHS, usually goes away on its own and is not a sign of anything serious. Migraine is common, affecting about 1.04 billion people worldwide, and is more common in women; attacks around periods (menstrual migraine) are often longer and more severe. Painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen work best when taken early, and prescription medicines are available for frequent or severe attacks. Avoiding triggers such as skipped meals, stress, poor sleep and too much caffeine helps prevent attacks. Some headache symptoms need emergency care. This guide explains the signs of migraine, causes and triggers, the best ubat migrain, how to stop an attack, menstrual migraine, and when a headache is serious.

Sakit kepala or migrain?

Most headaches go away on their own and are not a sign of anything serious, according to the NHS. The two most common headache disorders worldwide are tension-type headache and migraine. The Global Burden of Disease study estimated that in 2016, about 1.89 billion people had tension-type headache and 1.04 billion had migraine. Migraine caused far more disability, and the burden was greatest in women aged 15 to 49.

Signs that a headache may be migraine rather than an everyday headache:

  • it is throbbing and can be severe, often on one side of the head;
  • it gets worse when you move around;
  • you feel sick or vomit;
  • light and noise bother you a lot;
  • it lasts hours to days and keeps coming back in attacks.

Common causes of everyday headaches, according to the NHS, include colds and flu, stress, drinking too much alcohol, bad posture, eyesight problems, skipping meals, not drinking enough fluids, taking too many painkillers, and periods or the menopause (hormone headache).

Tanda migrain: what are the signs?

According to the NHS, the main symptoms of a migraine attack are:

  • a throbbing headache, which can be severe, often on one side and worse when moving;
  • feeling or being sick;
  • being very sensitive to light and sound.

Early symptoms can start hours or up to 2 days before the pain, such as feeling very tired and yawning, food cravings or thirst, mood changes, a stiff neck and peeing more.

Aura. Some people get warning signs before an attack, such as zigzag lines or flashing lights, numbness or pins and needles, dizziness, or difficulty speaking. Aura should not last longer than 1 hour.

Attacks usually last between 4 hours and 3 days. Some people have several attacks a week; others have them rarely. Most people find their migraine slowly improves as they get older.

Punca migrain: causes and triggers

The NHS says the exact cause of migraine is not known, but it involves changes to nerves and blood vessels in the brain. You are more likely to get it if a close family member has it, and women are more likely to get it than men. Common triggers include:

  • having your period;
  • stress and tiredness;
  • anxiety and depression;
  • skipping meals or not eating regularly;
  • too much caffeine (our guide to Malaysian drinks compares common options);
  • not getting enough regular exercise.

Triggers differ between people. Keeping a migraine diary of what you ate, how you slept, your period and your stress levels can help you spot your own patterns.

Cara hilangkan migrain: what helps during an attack

  • Take your painkiller early, as soon as the headache starts.
  • Lie down or sleep in a darkened, quiet room.
  • Drink water. Not drinking enough is a common headache trigger, especially in Malaysia's heat.
  • Do not skip meals, even if you do not feel hungry.
  • Limit alcohol, and avoid straining your eyes on screens for long periods.

To reduce how often attacks happen, the NHS recommends avoiding your known triggers, staying hydrated, limiting caffeine and alcohol, keeping a healthy weight, eating at regular times, exercising regularly, getting plenty of sleep and managing stress. If you struggle with sleep, see our guide to susah tidur (insomnia).

Ubat migrain: treatment and prevention

For an attack, the NHS lists:

  • painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen;
  • prescription migraine medicines called triptans and gepants;
  • medicines to stop you feeling or being sick.

Avoid painkiller overuse. The NHS advises not taking painkillers on more than 2 days a week, because this can cause more headaches (medication overuse headache) and make migraine harder to treat.

To prevent attacks, if you have frequent or severe migraine, a doctor may suggest:

  • preventive medicines, such as beta blockers, some antidepressants or some epilepsy medicines;
  • acupuncture;
  • relaxation techniques and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT);
  • vitamin B2 (riboflavin).

An American Academy of Neurology and American Headache Society guideline rates magnesium and riboflavin as "probably effective" for preventing episodic migraine in adults. See our magnesium guide for doses and safety, and talk to your doctor before starting any supplement.

Migraine in women and menstrual migraine

Hormones play a big part in migraine for many women:

  • Menstrual migraine: attacks just before or during a period are often longer and more severe than at other times. See a doctor if you regularly get migraine around your period. Our guide to senggugut (period pain) covers other period symptoms.
  • Pregnancy: migraine sometimes improves, but get urgent medical advice if you have a migraine attack while pregnant or just after having a baby.
  • Menopause: migraine often improves after the menopause.

Headaches with constant tiredness and breathlessness can also be a sign of anaemia, especially if you have heavy periods; see our guide to kurang darah.

When a headache is an emergency

Call 999 or go to the emergency department if you have a headache and, according to the NHS:

  • it came on suddenly and is extremely painful;
  • you have weakness or numbness in the arms, legs or face, especially on one side;
  • you have problems speaking, balancing, walking or remembering things;
  • you lose your vision, or have blurred or double vision;
  • you feel drowsy or confused, or have a seizure;
  • you have recently had a head injury;
  • you have a very high temperature, a stiff neck or a rash that does not fade when a glass is rolled over it.

Get an urgent appointment if a migraine attack lasts longer than 72 hours, aura lasts longer than 1 hour, you are pregnant or have just had a baby, or a headache is triggered by coughing, sneezing or bending, or comes with jaw pain when eating or a tender scalp.

See a doctor if your headaches or migraines are getting worse, lasting longer than usual, happen more than once a week, or are hard to control.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

What is migrain?

Migrain (migraine) is a condition that causes attacks of a throbbing headache, often on one side of the head, together with feeling sick and sensitivity to light and sound. Attacks usually last between 4 hours and 3 days. It is different from an ordinary headache and is more common in women.

What are the signs of a migraine (tanda migrain)?

The main signs are a throbbing headache that can be severe and often on one side, feeling or being sick, and being very sensitive to light and sound. Some people get early signs such as tiredness, yawning, food cravings or a stiff neck, or an aura such as zigzag lines, flashing lights or tingling before the headache.

What causes migraine (punca migrain)?

The exact cause is not known, but migraine involves changes in nerves and blood vessels in the brain and often runs in families. Common triggers include periods, stress and tiredness, anxiety, skipping meals, too much caffeine and lack of regular exercise.

What is the best ubat migrain?

For an attack, painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen work best when taken as soon as the headache starts. If they do not help, a doctor can prescribe triptans or other migraine medicines, plus anti-sickness medicine. Try not to take painkillers on more than 2 days a week, as this can cause more headaches.

How can I stop a migraine quickly (cara hilangkan migrain)?

Take your painkiller early, then rest or sleep in a dark, quiet room and drink water. Keeping a migraine diary to spot and avoid your triggers, eating at regular times, sleeping well and managing stress can help reduce how often attacks happen.

Why do I get migraines before my period?

Migraine attacks that happen just before or during a period are called menstrual migraines, and they are often longer and more severe. They are linked to hormone changes. See a doctor if you regularly get migraine around your period, as there are treatment options.

When is a headache an emergency?

Call 999 if a headache comes on suddenly and is extremely painful, or comes with weakness or numbness on one side, difficulty speaking, loss of vision, confusion, a seizure, a recent head injury, a very high temperature with a stiff neck, or a rash that does not fade under a glass.

Disclaimer

This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for advice, diagnosis or treatment from a doctor or pharmacist. Health supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

References

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