If you’re one of the 10 million people in the UK who suffer from migraine attacks, you’ll be familiar with the sense of relief when your symptoms finally pass – especially if they’ve lasted for days. 

But you might also be left feeling out of sorts for some time afterwards, struggling with tiredness, confusion, muscle aches and irritability – symptoms commonly associated with that brutal (but entirely self-inflicted) morning after a heavy night out.

So, in news that will please precisely no one, migraine hangovers are real. But unlike a traditional hangover, you’re unlikely to have had much of a party beforehand. 

So, what exactly causes a migraine hangover, and how can we cope with one? We turned to the experts for their advice. 

“A migraine hangover, also known as migraine postdrome, is the phase after the pain of a migraine subsides,” explains Dr Harriet Leyland, clinical adviser at myGP. “It is characterised by a range of lingering symptoms that continue once the migraine headache is over.”

We know that migraine attacks are about so much more than just a headache, with symptoms ranging from fatigue and food cravings to more traditional issues such as pain and aura.

“It’s helpful to think about migraine as a spectrum condition,” says Dr Katy Munro, migraine expert and author of Managing Your Migraine. “Most people aren’t just impacted the day of the migraine itself, but also the days before and afterwards.”

While you may never have heard of them, migraine hangovers are surprisingly common, with research showing they occur following up to 80% of migraine attacks. 

Despite it being such a common condition, surprisingly little is known about the causes of migraine hangovers. 

However, since they are part of the migraine attack as a whole, rather than a separate phenomenon, the causes are likely the same as your migraine triggers, which can vary from person to person.

“The exact cause of a migraine hangover is not known, but it is believed to be due to changes in the brain that occur during a migraine,” says Dr Leyland. “The hangover phase may be related to the release of certain chemicals and inflammation during the migraine.”

Put simply, it takes some time for the brain to recover from the migraine attack and return to normal function. 

In the same way that migraine attack symptoms can vary, the length of the postdrome will be different for everyone – with some people not experiencing it at all and most people recovering within 24 hours.

“The duration of a migraine hangover can vary from person to person,” agrees Dr Leyland. “It can last from hours to a couple of days after the headache has resolved.”

Interestingly, research shows that the length of a migraine hangover doesn’t appear to be related to the severity of the attack, but since it’s the least studied phase of a migraine attack, more research is needed to ascertain cause and duration. 

If you’re one of the unlucky people who struggle with postdrome symptoms, you’re likely to experience some or all of the following, according to Dr Leyland:

• Fatigue
• Difficulty concentrating or ‘brain fog’
• Sensitivity to light and sound
• Nausea or stomach ache
• Muscle aches
• Mood changes such as feeling irritable or low

“There is no specific treatment for a migraine hangover, however, self-care strategies can be used to manage the symptoms,” advises Dr Leyland. These include:

• Rest and sleep to manage fatigue
• Stay well hydrated by drinking plenty of water
• Eat small, easy-to-digest meals if tolerated – this may reduce nausea
• Use over the counter pain relief such as paracetamol and ibuprofen, as recommended for you
• Minimise exposure to bright lights or noise
• Practice relaxation techniques such as deep-breathing to reduce stress

Above all, go easy on yourself. If you don’t feel up to resuming normal activities for a few days following an attack, that’s totally normal. “Be patient and allow yourself time to recover,” cautions Dr Leyland. “If you suffer frequent migraines and the hangover is interfering with your daily life then consulting your GP for a treatment plan is recommended.”

And don’t suffer in silence – there are lots of charities offering support and advice for migraine sufferers, including The Migraine Trust and The National Migraine Centre.

Check out their resources here. 

Images: Getty