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(718) 998-9899© 2025 Neuro Injury Specialists
We accept most insurances, including Medicaid, Medicare, checks, cash, credit cards, and Care Credit Financing.
(718) 998-9899© 2025 Neuro Injury Specialists
Table of contents
Migraine headaches usually progress through four stages, but not all migraine sufferers go through all four stages of a migraine headache. Recognizing what to expect helps you start migraine treatment early and shorten the length and intensity of your symptoms.
The four stages are:
Not all bad headaches are migraines. But migraines are among the most disabling types of headaches, and they can affect people of all ages. If you have signs and symptoms of migraine headaches, treatment is available. For migraine relief as well as diagnosis and treatment of other headache types in the New York and New Jersey area, visit Dr. Mark Cohen at Neuro Injury Specialists.
Migraines start with the prodrome stage. Symptoms of this stage may begin hours or days before you have a headache. Once symptoms start, they can last several hours or more than a day.
Some things you may experience include:
Many of these symptoms can have other causes such as being under a lot of stress. Follow your doctor’s advice and take action to try to prevent symptoms from getting worse by using relaxation techniques, preventive medicine or avoiding foods that are known to be your most prevalent migraine triggers such as chocolate, processed foods and cheese.
About one of every three people who have migraines experience an aura before the migraine headache sets in. This second phase lasts around five to 60 minutes.
Some signs of an aura include:
If you experience symptoms of an aura before a migraine headache, it doesn’t mean you’ll have an aura every time you have a migraine. Some people experience an aura after migraine pain has started.
During the headache phase of a migraine, pain sets in. The headache pain can range from mild to severe.
Symptoms you may experience during the headache phase include:
During the attack phase of a migraine, pain may worsen with physical activity. This stage lasts from four to 72 hours. It’s possible to have a migraine without experiencing headache pain.
After the intense headache passes, the final phase, which is known as the postdrome phase, begins. This phase is sometimes called the hangover phase.
Symptoms of this phase include:
The postdrome phase may not happen every time you have a migraine. Not everyone who has a migraine goes through the postdrome phase either, but about eight out of ten people with migraines do experience this final phase.
The length of time each of the stages of a migraine headache lasts can vary. The sooner migraine treatment is started after symptoms begin, the better results you’re likely to obtain. Starting treatment during the prodrome stage may stop a migraine from progressing or may reduce the intensity of your symptoms.
Things to do in the prodrome stage include:
Recognizing symptoms that indicate that a migraine is starting is crucial to reducing the severity of a migraine attack.
As a migraine progresses to later stages, follow the treatment plan recommended by your doctor, which may include:
The aura phase of a migraine may overlap with the headache phase. Taking medication during this time may give you some relief, but abortive medication is most effective when taken earlier, before the pain actually sets in. If you have severe headaches more than four times a month that interfere with your daily activities, your doctor may prescribe preventive medication to take every day.
If you suffer with chronic migraines, contact Dr. Cohen at Neuro Injury Specialists. Dr. Cohen specializes in neurology and pain management. Using the most up-to-date diagnostic testing, Dr. Cohen can determine whether your headache pain is a migraine or another type of chronic headache, such as a:
