Migraines typically last between 4 hours and 72 hours (3 days) if untreated, though the duration can vary significantly from person to person

. A migraine attack generally consists of four stages, each with its own duration:

• Prodrome: The warning phase with symptoms like mood changes or fatigue, lasting 1–2 days before the headache starts

• Aura: Sensory disturbances such as visual flashes or numbness, usually lasting up to 60 minutes but sometimes overlapping with headache onset

• Headache: The main painful phase, characterized by throbbing pain often on one side of the head, lasting from a few hours up to several days (4 to 72 hours or longer)

• Postdrome: The recovery phase after the headache, with symptoms like fatigue, confusion, or mood changes, lasting from a few hours up to 1–2 days

In some cases, migraines can last longer than 72 hours, a condition known as status migrainosus, which requires medical attention

. Overall, while the headache phase is the most intense and variable in length, the entire migraine episode including all phases can last from a couple of days up to a week

. After the headache ends, residual tiredness or other symptoms may persist for several days