When should I see a doctor about migraines?
See a doctor if your migraines are frequent, getting worse, hard to control, or changing in pattern — and seek urgent medical care for a sudden, severe, or unusual headache. Migraine itself is common and treatable, but certain features are red flags that need prompt attention rather than watchful waiting.
Seek urgent care for these red flags
Some headaches need emergency assessment, not tracking. Get urgent medical help for a headache that comes on suddenly and severely (a 'thunderclap' headache that peaks within seconds to minutes); a headache with a stiff neck, fever, rash, confusion, seizures, or fainting; one with weakness, numbness, difficulty speaking, or vision loss that isn't your usual aura; a severe headache after a head injury; or the 'worst headache of your life'. These can signal serious conditions, so err on the side of seeking care promptly.
Book a routine appointment for these
Short of an emergency, it's worth seeing a doctor if migraines are frequent (for example several days a month), becoming more frequent or severe, not responding to over-the-counter treatment, or interfering with work and daily life. Also see someone if you're using acute pain-relief medication on many days a month — a pattern linked to medication-overuse headache — or if you have a first migraine over the age of 50, a distinctly new pattern, or attacks during pregnancy. These aren't emergencies, but they deserve a proper review.
How tracking helps
A dated record helps you recognise when you've crossed one of these thresholds — rising frequency, more acute-medication days, or a change in pattern — and gives a doctor the concrete history they need to help. It sharpens the routine conversation and makes red-flag changes easier to spot. Temple keeps that record; it documents your pattern and is never a substitute for medical care when warning signs appear. Temple is a tracking tool, not medical advice — for anything specific to you, consult a healthcare professional.
Temple tracks your migraine frequency and acute-medication days, so you can see when you've crossed a threshold worth taking to a doctor.
Common questions
- When is a headache an emergency?
- Seek urgent care for a sudden, severe 'thunderclap' headache; one with fever, stiff neck, confusion, seizures or fainting; new weakness, numbness, speech or vision problems that aren't your usual aura; a headache after head injury; or the worst headache of your life. These need prompt medical assessment.
- How many migraines a month means I should see a doctor?
- There's no single number, but frequent attacks (for example several days a month), worsening attacks, poor response to over-the-counter treatment, or using acute medication on many days a month are all good reasons to book a review. A dated record helps you and your doctor judge.