When is GP consultation recommended for migraine?

A GP can review the pattern of your headache, associated nausea, light sensitivity or visual symptoms, and your general health. Assessment is especially useful when headaches are becoming more frequent, last longer than usual, follow a different pattern, or return despite the measures that normally help. Keeping a record of timing, possible triggers, symptoms and medicines can help distinguish migraine from other headache causes and guide a treatment plan.

Write down when attacks begin, how the pain develops, where it is felt, and whether movement, light or sound makes it worse. Note vomiting, aura, missed activities and every medicine or supplement used, including how often you take pain relief. During an attack, rest in a quiet, dark room, drink fluids if you can and follow previously advised treatment directions. Do not drive if visual symptoms or severe dizziness affect you.

Seek urgent medical help for a sudden, extremely severe headache, new weakness or numbness, trouble speaking, confusion, fainting, a seizure, fever with a stiff neck, or a severe headache after a head injury. Urgent assessment is also needed for a new headache during pregnancy or with persistent vision loss. These warning signs need prompt evaluation rather than waiting for a routine GP visit.

Ask what type of headache is most likely, whether any examination or testing is needed, which treatment is suitable for an attack, and how to prevent frequent episodes. Ask how often pain medicines can be used safely and which symptoms should prompt urgent help.