Migraines affect millions of people and are one of the most common reasons patients seek medical help for headaches. Unlike a typical headache, migraines can cause severe pain, nausea and vomiting, light sensitivity and even vision changes.

The good news is that you do not have to manage migraines alone. Primary care providers are trained to recognize the patterns, rule out other causes and guide treatment plans that help reduce both the frequency and severity of attacks.

Migraine Symptoms

Migraines are not one-size-fits-all. Some people experience warning signs like visual changes or tingling before the pain begins. Others may feel sudden, throbbing head pain that can last for hours or even days.

Common symptoms:

• Throbbing or pulsing head pain, often on one side
• Sensitivity to light, sound or smell
• Nausea or vomiting
• Blurred vision or visual “aura” such as flashing lights or zigzag patterns
• Tingling or numbness in the face, arms or hands
• Dizziness or loss of balance
• Difficulty speaking or concentrating
• Fatigue before or after the headache

Beyond the physical discomfort, migraines can lead to missed workdays and anxiety about when the next attack will strike.

Primary Care for Migraines

Your primary care doctor is often the first person to identify migraine patterns. They can help you keep a headache diary, review triggers, order tests or coordinate care with other specialties.

Primary care is also where conversations about lifestyle, stress and family history happen. Those details often hold important clues to understanding and managing migraines.

Treatment options and long-term support

Treatment of migraines often involves a combination of medications and lifestyle adjustments. Primary care providers can prescribe preventive medicines that reduce the number of attacks or acute medicines that stop a migraine once it starts. They also help adjust treatment as your symptoms change over time.

Common migraine treatments:

• Acute medications to stop an attack, such as triptans, gepants or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Preventive medications taken daily to reduce frequency of headaches, including certain blood pressure medicines, antidepressants or anti-seizure drugs
• Lifestyle strategies like regular sleep, hydration, stress management and exercise
• Identifying and avoiding triggers such as specific foods, hormonal changes or environmental factors
• Headache diaries to track symptoms and patterns
• Referral to a specialist for advanced options, such as injections or infusion therapy, if migraines are severe or frequent

Lifestyle Changes for Migraines

Lifestyle choices can make a major difference. Identifying and avoiding triggers such as stress, certain foods or poor sleep is often part of the plan.

Exercise, hydration and consistent sleep routines may also help lower migraine frequency.

Keeping a symptom journal and sharing it with your provider can reveal patterns that guide next steps.

When to Reach Out to Your Doctor

If your headaches are becoming more frequent, more severe or interfere with daily life, it is time to talk to your primary care provider.

Seek care right away if you experience sudden, intense head pain unlike anything before, or if your headache is paired with confusion, weakness or vision loss. Visit our guide for knowing if your symptoms are for the emergency department, urgent care or primary care doctor.

Migraines may be common, but they are not something you should learn to live with in silence. With the support of your primary care team, you can reduce attacks, manage symptoms and regain control over your life. Find a CU Medicine primary care provider or specialty care provider by clicking here.

About the co-author

Dr. Kelet Robinson is an Associate Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at Colorado University School of Medicine, and the Medical Director for the Aurora Wellness Community Health Center. Along with educating people on their health conditions, she enjoys copy editing and a strong cup of tea.