How to help your husband with migraines

Migraine can be under-recognized in men because people may feel pressure to push through pain. Helping your husband starts with taking symptoms seriously and making it easier to follow a care plan.

During an attack

Reduce light, sound, and smells. Offer water, medication from his plan, a cold pack, quiet, or help with transport and responsibilities. Do not pressure him to drive, work, parent, or explain symptoms if he is impaired.

Reduce pressure to push through

Migraine can affect reaction time, vision, speech, balance, and decision-making. If he is trying to keep working or driving through symptoms, help shift the focus from toughness to safety.

Between attacks

Ask what support is useful and what is not. Help track attack frequency, medication days, and missed activities if he wants help. Encourage medical follow-up if attacks are frequent, worsening, or hard to treat.

Make a practical plan

Agree on where medication is kept, what early symptoms look like, when he wants quiet, which responsibilities you can take over, and which symptoms mean urgent care. The plan should be made when he is well, not during severe pain.

What to avoid

Avoid teasing, minimizing, or treating migraine as a normal headache. Also avoid giving medical advice unless he asks. It is more useful to help him follow the plan he made with a clinician.

Sources

• American Migraine Foundation: How to best support someone with migraine
• American Migraine Foundation: Patients and caregivers
• Mayo Clinic: Migraine symptoms and causes