What is Recurrent Migraine Headache

Recurrent migraine headache keep coming back. A migraine headache is very bad, throbbing pain that is usually on one side of your head. Talk with your doctor about what things may bring on (trigger) your migraine headaches.

Follow these instructions at home:

Medicines

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your doctor.
• Do not drive or use heavy machinery while taking prescription pain medicine.

Lifestyle

• Do not use any products that contain nicotine or tobacco, such as cigarettes and e-cigarettes. If you need help quitting, ask your doctor.
• Limit alcohol intake to no more than 1 drink a day for nonpregnant women and 2 drinks a day for men. One drink equals 12 oz of beer, 5 oz of wine, or 1½ oz of hard liquor.
• Get 7–9 hours of sleep each night.
• Lessen any stress in your life. Ask your doctor about ways to lower your stress.
• Stay at a healthy weight. Talk with your doctor if you need help losing weight.
• Get regular exercise.

General instructions

• Keep a journal to find out if certain things bring on migraine headaches. For example, write down:
  • What you eat and drink.
  • How much sleep you get.
  • Any change to your diet or medicines.
• Lie down in a dark, quiet room when you have a migraine.
• Try placing a cool towel over your head when you have a migraine.
• Keep lights dim if bright lights bother you or make your migraines worse.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your doctor. This is important.

Contact a doctor if:

• Medicine does not help your migraines.
• Your pain keeps coming back.
• You have a fever.
• You have weight loss without trying.

Get help right away if:

• Your migraine becomes really bad and medicine does not help.
• You have a stiff neck.
• You have trouble seeing.
• Your muscles are weak or you lose control of your muscles.
• You lose your balance or have trouble walking.
• You feel like you will pass out (faint) or you pass out.
• You have really bad symptoms that are different than your first symptoms.
• You start having sudden, very bad headaches that last for one second or less, like a thunderclap.

Summary

• A migraine headache is very bad, throbbing pain that is usually on one side of your head.
• Talk with your doctor about what things may bring on (trigger) your migraine headaches.
• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your doctor.
• Lie down in a dark, quiet room when you have a migraine.
• Keep a journal about what you eat and drink, how much sleep you get, and any changes to your medicines. This can help you find out if certain things make you have migraine headaches.