Summarize the following:
Set up an appointment if your migraines occur more than once a week on average. You should also see your doctor if your migraine symptoms don’t seem to improve with over-the-counter medications, prescription drugs, or home remedies. They can discuss new or alternative treatment options with you.You should also seek medical care if you’re taking over-the-counter or prescription medications to manage your migraine pain more than twice a week. Extremely severe or complicated migraines, though rare, can affect you more intensely than regular migraines. They can also mimic the symptoms of other, more serious conditions, such as a stroke. For this reason, it’s important to get these symptoms assessed right away. Make an appointment with your doctor or go to the emergency room if you experience any of the following: Some of these might include:  Hemiplegic migraine: You may experience temporary paralysis or nerve changes with this headache. You should check with your doctor to make sure this is not a stroke, since some of the symptoms can be similar.  Persistent aura: Visual auras with your migraines (such as patterns, flashes of light, or partial loss of vision) usually go away shortly after the attack. In rare cases, they may last for hours or even more than a week afterward. If you experience this, seek medical care to make sure it isn’t a sign of bleeding in your brain. Basilar artery migraine: You might experience dizziness or confusion and pain in the back of your head. You may also experience vomiting, ringing in the ears, or an inability to speak properly.  Status migrainosus: This is a severe migraine attack that lasts longer than 3 days. This migraine is often caused by certain types of medications. Certain medical ailments or medications may increase your risk for migraines. Managing these conditions properly can help reduce your risk of having migraine symptoms, so work with your doctor to diagnose and treat them if present. Some medical conditions and medications that may contribute to migraines include:  Being overweight or underweight Experiencing hormonal changes (such as those associated with menopause, fluctuations in your menstrual cycle, or taking hormone medications) A family history of migraines Stress Taking certain medications, such as vasodilators or hormonal birth control pills Sleep disorders High blood pressure or certain heart diseases
Call your doctor if your migraines are frequent or don’t respond to treatment. Check with your doctor if you get more serious migraines. Ask your doctor about underlying conditions that might cause migraines.