What should you know about migraine light and noise sensitivity?

During migraine, the brain can process sensory input more intensely. Screens, sunlight, fluorescent lighting, traffic, music, or conversation may then increase discomfort. Light Sensitivity and sound sensitivity may appear with throbbing Headache, nausea, dizziness, or visual aura, but not every attack has every feature. Persistent sensitivity between attacks, new hearing or vision changes, or symptoms with fever or severe eye pain should be checked because migraine is not the only possible explanation.

Move to a quiet room with gentle, indirect lighting and reduce screen brightness. Sunglasses can help outdoors, but wearing dark glasses indoors for long periods may increase sensitivity for some people. Ask others to lower the volume, rest your eyes, and keep fluids and regular meals in view. Follow your personal migraine treatment plan promptly and note the setting, sleep, food, stress, and symptoms in a diary.

Get emergency help for a sudden severe headache, confusion, weakness, seizure, fainting, trouble speaking, sudden vision loss, or fever with a stiff neck. Seek prompt advice if light or noise sensitivity is new and severe, follows a head injury, comes with a painful red eye, or continues after the usual migraine symptoms settle. A clinician can assess repeated or disabling attacks.

Could my light and noise sensitivity be migraine, and should my eyes or hearing be checked? What adjustments are useful during an attack? How can I manage attacks that keep interrupting work or sleep?