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Most people recognize migraines by their common symptoms like throbbing head pain, light or noise sensitivity, nausea, and visual auras. These are a part of the prodrome phase, aura phase, and migraine phase. Symptoms do not have to occur in all three phases, and some symptoms or phases may not occur during a migraine. Learn more about the other phases here.
The fourth and final phase of a migraine is called postdrome. This part is often referred to as a “migraine hangover”. This phase occurs after the migraine has concluded, and most people feel as though they are hungover because of the migraine. It is completely normal to feel forgetful and completely drained since your brain is recovering from a neurological storm. The experience affects your whole body and may last for a few hours or up to two days. Not every migraine will end with a postdrome or the “normal” symptoms of a postdrome. For those who do experience these symptoms, they can be disruptive and frustrating.
Postdrome symptoms vary from person to person but commonly include:
Fatigue – Feeling unusually tired, even after rest
Brain Fog – difficulty concentrating
Mood changes – This may include irritability, sadness, or even euphoria
Food cravings or aversions – Similar to the prodrome phase
Neck stiffness – A lingering tightness or soreness
Sensitivity to light and sound – Though often less intense than during the headache
Gastrointestinal discomfort – Mild nausea or changes in appetite
These symptoms are not caused by medication or any other side effects of supplements. They are a part of the migraine and should be treated the same way a migraine is always treated – by restoring proper levels of electrolytes.
The only option for recovery in this phase is recovery the old fashioned way. Rest and hydration are the ways to care for yourself during and after this phase. Your body has gone through a tough time and needs to rest and recover.
Nutrition can be a great tool to help recovery. Eating a balanced meal will not only help you during the postdrome but also help you avoid your next migraine. Remember, you cannot backtrack nutrition and “make up” for lost calories or nutrients. Think of nutrition as a current action that will have an effect on your future health.
If you are having a particularly rough postdrome, try your best to steer clear of triggers. Keeping track of symptoms, triggers, and helpful tips can help you in the future to remember what to avoid or what to do that helped you in the past. The less work you have to do during the postdrome, the better.
Understanding the postdrome is important for both migraine sufferers and those around them. It helps explain why someone may still feel “off” even after the migraine is seemingly over. It also reinforces that migraines are more than just headaches and pain. They are multi-phase neurological events that require compassion and active assistance even after the worst part is over.
