Migraine stages: If you’ve ever had a migraine, you know it’s not “just a bad headache.” It’s a full-body experience that can knock you off your feet. The pain might steal the spotlight, but a migraine is actually a four-act show with cues and intermissions you start recognising over time.
Stage 1: The “something’s off” phase
It often starts quietly. You might wake up feeling weirdly tired even though you slept fine. Or maybe food smells stronger than usual, your neck feels stiff, and your brain’s just… fuzzy. That’s the prodrome stage, your body’s early warning system.
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Some people crave certain foods (hello, salt and chocolate), others feel irritable for no clear reason. You might yawn a lot or find yourself unable to focus. At first, you probably won’t connect the dots. But once you start tracking migraines, these small signs make sense as they’re your body whispering, Hey, it’s coming.
Stage 2: Aura (for some people)
Not everyone gets this part, but those who do? It’s unmistakable. Imagine your vision glitching like a bad camera filter with zigzag lines, flashing lights, or blind spots. Sometimes it’s not visual at all; you might feel tingling in your hands, or your speech gets tangled.
It’s unsettling, sure, but also strangely specific. The aura usually lasts anywhere between 5 and 60 minutes. Think of it as your body’s strange, artistic way of announcing what’s next.
Stage 3: The main event
And then, boom. The actual migraine hits. It’s not just pain; it’s pressure, pulsating behind one eye or spreading across one side of the head. Every light feels like a spotlight. Sounds that never bothered you suddenly feel sharp and metallic. Even mild smells can turn your stomach.
People describe this phase differently. For some, it’s like a drum beating inside the skull. For others, it’s more of a steady throb that makes thinking, working, or even moving a challenge. Some need to lie in a dark room for hours. Others try to power through, regretting it halfway through the day.
Stage 4: The hangover
Once the storm passes, it’s not really over. This postdrome phase, which is often called the migraine hangover, can leave you drained, foggy, and weirdly emotional. Like your brain ran a marathon while your body stayed still.
You might feel oddly light-sensitive or sluggish. Words don’t come out right. Even simple things like answering emails or making coffee feel like too much effort. Some people bounce back in a few hours; others need a full day to feel normal again.
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Migraines aren’t just about pain; they mess with your energy, focus, and mood in ways most people don’t see. And while triggers vary (stress, skipped meals, weather changes, you name it), understanding these stages helps you predict what’s coming and plan your defence early. Because once you know your body’s signals, you stop being caught off guard. You start managing the migraine before it manages you.
