Posted On: June 10, 2025

Understanding Migraines and How to Manage Them for a Healthier Life

You likely recognize the signs. It may begin with a dull pressure behind the eyes or a disturbance in your vision. Soon after, you find yourself retreating to a dark, quiet room, unable to function as usual.

Migraines are a serious and often disabling neurological disorder that affect millions worldwide. Despite this, many people continue to dismiss them as nothing more than severe headaches. This misconception is not only inaccurate but can also leave individuals feeling misunderstood and isolated.

As summer brings increased exposure to sunlight, rising temperatures, and unpredictable routines, it becomes even more important to identify migraine triggers and take preventive steps to manage them effectively.

Here is what you need to know.

What Is a Migraine?

Migraines are not just a “strong headache.” They’re a neurological condition that comes in waves. Sometimes it’s a sharp, pulsing pain on one side of the head. Sometimes it brings blurry vision, dizziness, or even trouble speaking. And sometimes, it’s all of that rolled into one unpleasant combo.

Some individuals experience what is known as an aura which includes visual changes such as flashing lights, blind spots, or zigzag patterns that serve as a warning before the migraine begins. Others get hit without any notice. And when it happens more than 15 days a month, migraines are known as chronic.

These aren’t rare. And they’re definitely not overblown. They’re very real interruptions in the lives of so many people, especially women (more on that in a minute).

What Migraines Feel Like

When a migraine hits, it’s not just about the headache. These attacks affect more than just the head, they often overwhelm the senses. Lights suddenly seem too bright. Ordinary sounds feel like fire alarms. Even smells can turn your stomach.

It’s not unusual to feel nauseous, foggy, or emotionally drained. You may feel irritable before the pain even begins, or incredibly wiped out afterward.

One of the most difficult aspects of living with migraines is their unpredictability. Migraine episodes can strike without warning, making it challenging to plan or engage fully in personal and professional aspects of life.

What Triggers Migraines?

Migraine triggers can be wildly different from person to person. For some, it’s red wine. For others, it’s skipping a meal or staying up too late. Hormones play a huge role too, especially estrogen. That’s why many women notice migraines ramping up around their menstrual cycle or during pregnancy.

Weather changes, dehydration, stress, poor sleep, strong smells, and flashing lights can all cause a migraine.  Learning your personal triggers is a powerful step in migraine management. It’s not about avoiding everything. It’s about understanding your own rhythm and giving yourself permission to care for your body in a smarter, gentler way.

Why Women Feel It More and Why That Matters

Let’s talk about the gender gap in healthcare. It’s not just your imagination, migraines hit women harder and more often. In fact, nearly three out of four migraine sufferers are women.

Hormonal shifts, especially fluctuations in estrogen, can make migraines more frequent and more severe. That means many women start noticing patterns that tie to their cycle, pregnancy, or even menopause.

Given the additional responsibilities many women carry, migraines are not just physically painful; they are emotionally and mentally exhausting as well. Understanding this burden is essential to providing effective care.

When to Call Your Doctor

If you find that migraines are becoming more frequent, more intense, or less responsive to over-the-counter treatments, you should contact a doctor. You don’t need to suffer in silence.

A proper diagnosis means you can finally get the help you need. From prescription medications to preventative care and lifestyle changes, there’s an entire spectrum of chronic migraine treatment strategies available today.

Evidence-Based Strategies for Relief

There’s no single “cure” for migraines, but there are long-term strategies that can give you back your time, energy, and peace of mind.
Some people benefit from daily medications that reduce frequency. Others swear by therapies like acupuncture, physical therapy, or certain supplements. For chronic sufferers, even Botox injections can make a difference.

Lifestyle habits can be surprisingly powerful in reducing migraine occurrences. Regular sleep, staying hydrated, eating on a schedule, limiting screen time, and learning to say “no” when your body’s begging for rest are great options to consider.

Final Thoughts and a Little Encouragement

If you’ve been quietly enduring the effects of migraines or wondering whether it will ever get better, please know that help is available.

Effective treatment begins with acknowledgment and a commitment to seek support. This summer, I encourage you to prioritize your well-being, pursue answers, and explore options that can restore balance and help you live your life to the fullest.