Migraine Relief When You Need It Most

Migraines are debilitating and can upend your whole day. Throbbing head pain, nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light or sound can make it difficult to work, care for your family, drive or even keep fluids down.

When your usual migraine treatment is not helping and your symptoms are lasting longer than expected, you could need same-day medical assessment and treatment.

SmartCare UrgentCare provides walk-in assessment and acute migraine care in Springfield Central. With Emergency Specialist-led care, on-site diagnostics and IV therapy available where clinically required, patients can attend during opening hours without an appointment.

What Does a Migraine Feel Like?

A migraine is more than an ordinary headache. Symptoms differ between individuals, but many patients report:

  • Throbbing or pulsing pain
  • Localised pain on one side of the head
  • Pain that increases with movement
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Sensitivity to bright light
  • Sensitivity to noise or strong smells
  • Blurred vision or flashing lights
  • Tingling or numbness
  • Difficulty concentrating

Some people experience an “aura” before or during a migraine and can include visual changes, tingling or other temporary neurological symptoms.

Migraine symptoms vary from person to person, and attacks can last from several hours to a few days. Not every severe headache is a migraine, which is why new, unusual or changing symptoms should be seen by a medical professional.

When Do I See a Doctor for My Migraine?

SmartCare UrgentCare offers a care option for when a migraine needs medical attention today, but there are no signs of a medical emergency. Visit our walk-in clinic for medical assessment and care if:

  • A known migraine is not settling with your usual treatment
  • Pain is affecting work, sleep or caring responsibilities
  • Nausea or vomiting is making fluids or oral medication difficult
  • Your migraine is lasting much longer than usual
  • Headaches are becoming more frequent or more difficult to manage
  • You cannot access your GP when you need assessment today

A migraine episode that lasts more than 72 hours is known as status migrainosus. This prolonged migraine needs medical assessment, particularly when pain, nausea or vomiting is affecting hydration or daily function.

When Does a Migraine Become an Emergency?

Some severe headaches can be signs of a serious medical condition rather than a migraine.

Call 000 or immediately attend your nearest Emergency Department for:

  • A sudden, severe or thunderclap headache
  • The worst headache you have ever experienced
  • Headache with confusion, severe drowsiness or collapse
  • Headache with fever, vomiting or neck stiffness
  • New weakness, facial droop, numbness or difficulty speaking
  • Blurred vision, double vision or vision loss
  • Headache with a seizure
  • Severe headache after a significant head injury

If you are pregnant or have recently given birth and develop a sudden, severe or different headache, please head to Emergency.

What Happens During Your Assessment?

When you arrive at SmartCare UrgentCare, our experienced, Emergency Specialist-led team will discuss your symptoms, migraine history, current medications and what you have already tried during this attack.

Your assessment may include checking your vital signs and completing a neurological examination to help our doctors determine if the symptoms appear consistent with migraine or if further investigation or Emergency care is needed.

Where medically required, on-site diagnostics including CT imaging and pathology are available during your assessment. Our on-site diagnostics are bulk billed for eligible Medicare card holders.

How Can You Help with My Migraine?

When a severe migraine is not responding to treatment at home, professional medical care can provide additional options.

After our emergency specialist completes your assessment, acute migraine care at SmartCare UrgentCare may include:

  • Medication to help manage migraine pain
  • Medication for nausea or vomiting
  • IV fluids where dehydration or poor fluid intake is a concern
  • IV therapy where clinically recommended
  • Advice about medication use and follow-up care
  • Referral or further assessment where needed

IV therapy can be useful for some patients when nausea or vomiting makes oral medication difficult to take or keep down. Severe migraine pain may also require stronger medication, which we usually give intravenously.

The treatment recommended for you will depend on your symptoms, medical history, medicines already taken and findings during your assessment.

Can You Manage Future Migraine Attacks?

Migraine triggers are different for everyone. Common triggers may include stress, interrupted sleep, missed meals, dehydration, hormonal changes, bright light, strong smells, alcohol and even some foods.

Keeping a migraine diary may help you track:

  • When migraines occur
  • How long they last
  • Symptoms that come with them
  • Possible food, sleep or stress triggers
  • Treatments used and whether they helped

If migraines are frequent, becoming more severe or affecting your quality of life, your clinician may recommend follow-up with your GP or referral for further management.

Migraine Care in Springfield Central

SmartCare UrgentCare is located at Shop 8, 95 Southern Cross Cct, Springfield Central QLD 4300.

Opening Hours
10:00am to 8:00pm, 7 days a week, including public holidays.

Walk-In Access
Walk-ins are welcome. No appointment or referral is necessary.

Located in Springfield Central, SmartCare UrgentCare supports patients from Springfield, Ripley, Redbank Plains, Goodna, Ipswich and nearby South-West Brisbane communities when migraine symptoms need medical assessment today.

Frequently Asked Questions

What If I Need Imaging?

CT imaging and pathology are available on site if needed during your assessment, and our diagnostic services are bulk billed for eligible Medicare card holders.

Is IV Therapy Available for Migraines?

Yes. IV therapy is available at SmartCare UrgentCare where clinically recommended following assessment. This may be useful when severe migraine symptoms, nausea, vomiting or dehydration are affecting oral treatment.

When Should I Go To Emergency?

Call 000 or visit your nearest Emergency Department for a sudden severe headache, thunderclap headache or headache with confusion, neck stiffness, vision loss, weakness, difficulty speaking, seizure or collapse.

Need Relief from a Severe Migraine?

If your migraine is not settling with your usual treatment, SmartCare UrgentCare provides walk-in assessment and acute migraine care in Springfield Central.

Walk-ins welcome. No appointment necessary.
Open 7 days from 10:00am to 8:00pm, including public holidays.
Shop 8, 95 Southern Cross Cct, Springfield Central QLD 4300

References

Queensland Health. (2023). Migraine headache Emergency Department factsheet. https://www.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0013/1430122/migraine-headache.pdf

Mayo Clinic. (2023). Migraine - Symptoms and Causes. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/migraine-headache/symptoms-causes/syc-20360201

Headache Australia. (2024). Status Migrainosus: Complications, Symptoms, and Risk Factors. https://headacheaustralia.org.au/headachetypes/migraine-complications/

Mayo Clinic. (n.d.).  Headaches in adults. https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptom-checker/headaches-in-adults-adult/related-factors/itt-20009075

This article is for general information and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, and does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. If you are concerned about your health, injury or illness, seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional or emergency services where appropriate.