Over what time frame do typical migraine attacks unfold?

Over what time frame do typical migraine attacks unfold?

• A. Seconds
• B. Several hours to days
• C. Weeks
• D. Minutes

Answer: (B)

Migraine attacks have a duration that spans several hours to a few days. The headache phase typically lasts about 4–72 hours, though some attacks can be shorter or, rarely, longer. This contrasts with options like seconds or minutes, which are too short for the full attack, and weeks, which would imply a chronic or prolonged condition rather than a typical episodic migraine. If an attack includes aura, that phase can occur before the headache and last up to about an hour, but the overall attack duration remains in the hours-to-days range.

Migraine attacks have a duration that spans several hours to a few days. The headache phase typically lasts about 4–72 hours, though some attacks can be shorter or, rarely, longer. This contrasts with options like seconds or minutes, which are too short for the full attack, and weeks, which would imply a chronic or prolonged condition rather than a typical episodic migraine. If an attack includes aura, that phase can occur before the headache and last up to about an hour, but the overall attack duration remains in the hours-to-days range.