How long does a migraine attack usually last?

A typical migraine attack lasts between 4 hours and 3 days (72 hours) if untreated. However, the entire episode can span several days when including all of its distinct biological phases.¹²³⁴

The Four Phases of a Migraine Attack

A complete migraine episode typically moves through up to four sequential stages:¹²

• Prodrome (Early Warning Stage): Can start hours to 1 or 2 days before the head pain begins. Symptoms include fatigue, irritability, food cravings, frequent urination, and difficulty concentrating.¹²
• Aura (Sensory Disturbances): Occurs in about one-third of people and lasts from 5 to 60 minutes. It can include visual changes (flashing lights or zig-zag patterns), numbness, tingling, or speech difficulty.¹²
• Headache Phase (Main Attack): Lasts anywhere from 4 to 72 hours. It features moderate-to-severe throbbing pain—often on one side of the head—along with nausea and sensitivity to light, sound, or odors.¹²³⁴⁵
• Postdrome ("Migraine Hangover"): Lasts from a few hours up to 48 hours after the head pain stops. You may feel exhausted, foggy, dizzy, or tender.¹²³⁴

What is Status Migrainosus?

When a migraine attack lasts longer than 72 hours (3 days) continuously, it is clinically known as status migrainosus. This severe, prolonged state often requires medical evaluation or urgent care intervention for specialized medication and rehydration.¹²You can read more about tracking symptoms and warning signs on the American Migraine Foundation or review general guidance via the NHS Migraine Guide.¹²To help tailor this information, let me know:

• How long your current or recent attack has lasted
• Whether you are experiencing aura symptoms
• If you have already tried over-the-counter or prescription treatments

A full migraine attack typically lasts between 4 hours and 3 days (72 hours) if left untreated.¹²

However, a migraine is not just the head pain itself—it is a multi-stage process that can span several days from start to finish.¹

Breakdown of the Migraine Stages

According to the NHS Migraine Guide, a complete attack moves through distinct phases:

1. Prodrome (Early/Warning Phase): Starts hours to 2 days before the head pain begins. Symptoms may include extreme tiredness, mood changes, food cravings, yawning, or neck stiffness.¹
2. Aura (Optional Phase): If you experience an aura (visual disturbances like flashing lights, zigzag lines, or numbness/tingling), these symptoms generally develop gradually and should not last for longer than 1 hour.¹
3. Headache Phase (The Main Attack): The active throbbing or pulsing head pain lasts anywhere from 4 to 72 hours. It is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, or extreme sensitivity to light (photophobia) and sound (phonophobia).¹²
4. Postdrome (The "Migraine Hangover"): After the headache stops, you may feel drained, confused, washed out, or sore for another 24 to 48 hours.

When to Seek Medical Help

You should reach out to a GP or use NHS 111 if:¹

• Your migraine attack lasts longer than 72 hours (status migrainosus).
• Your aura symptoms last longer than 1 hour.
• Your attacks are severe, getting worse, or happening more than once a week.¹

Are you asking because you or someone else is currently experiencing a migraine that won't go away, or are you trying to track a recurring pattern?

A typical migraine attack lasts between 4 and 72 hours (4 hours to 3 days) if left untreated.

However, the duration varies depending on the person and the type of migraine.

The four stages of a migraine

1. Prodrome (up to 1–2 days before): You might experience tiredness, mood changes, food cravings, neck stiffness or frequent yawning.
2. Aura (usually 5–60 minutes): Some people experience flashing lights, visual disturbances, tingling or difficulty speaking. Not everyone gets aura.
3. Headache phase (4–72 hours): Often involves throbbing or pulsing pain, nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and sometimes vomiting.
4. Postdrome (up to 24–48 hours): After the headache settles, you may feel exhausted, foggy, dizzy or generally unwell.

When should you seek medical attention?

• More than 72 hours: A migraine lasting longer than this may be status migrainosus and needs medical assessment.
• Sudden, extremely severe headache: Seek emergency medical attention.
• New weakness, confusion, loss of vision or difficulty speaking: Seek emergency medical attention, as these can indicate something more serious than migraine.

Can I ask you something?

Are you currently experiencing a migraine, and if so, how long has it been going on?

I can help you understand whether its duration and symptoms are typical of a migraine or whether you should seek medical attention.