Millions of migraine sufferers in the UK are being urged to be vigilant this Christmas as common festive triggers can combine to spark debilitating attacks. Dr Kasim Ahmed, speaking on BBC Morning Live, warned that the holiday period's stress, rich food, alcohol and bright lights can create a 'perfect storm' for those affected.
Dr Ahmed, who himself is among the estimated 10 million Britons with migraines, highlighted that sleep deprivation, stress and dehydration are common triggers. He noted that alcohol is particularly problematic because it dehydrates the body, and advised people to drink plenty of water. 'Christmas time is a time when these triggers can all come together,' he said.
One of the most well-known warning signs is an aura, which can involve seeing flashing lights, kaleidoscope-like colours, zig-zag lines or blurriness. These auras typically last 20 to 30 minutes and occur about half an hour before the migraine hits. Dr Ahmed encouraged sufferers to act on early warning signs, taking paracetamol or ibuprofen responsibly and making sure to eat something at the same time.
He also suggested using black-out eye masks with a cold pack to cool the eye area. While a social media trend of putting feet in hot water - to draw blood away from the head - has gained attention, Dr Ahmed said there is no evidence it works, though he acknowledged the theoretical reasoning.
The doctor advised families to accommodate sufferers by softening lighting, lowering music volume, avoiding strong scents and providing a quiet room. He emphasised that migraines are more than just headaches, describing them as a 'clinical syndrome' caused by brain overload, with warning signs building over hours or days.
