Which statement best describes migraine management for aircrew?

• A. Monitor symptoms and continue duty
• B. Identify triggers like dehydration and sleep disruption; ensure stable management and medical clearance if needed
• C. Ignore migraines if mild
• D. Use emergency medications only after landing

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is handling migraines in aircrew by being proactive and safety-focused: identify and manage triggers, keep symptoms under good control with suitable treatment, and obtain medical clearance if there’s any concern about flying with or after a migraine.

Identifying triggers like dehydration and sleep disruption helps you take steps to prevent episodes, which is crucial in flight where performance and situational awareness are essential. Ensuring stable management means using treatments that effectively control the migraine without impairing flight duties, and having a plan for when symptoms arise—including knowing when medical clearance is needed to continue flying or to return to duty after treatment. This approach reduces the risk of an in-flight impairment and aligns with aviation medical standards.

Ignoring migraines, ignoring mild symptoms, or using emergency medications only after landing undermines safety. Continuing duty during an active episode can compromise judgment, reaction time, and overall performance. Delaying treatment until after landing can allow symptoms to worsen and may create a medical clearance issue.

So, focusing on triggers, stable symptom control, and appropriate medical clearance reflects best practice for migraine management in aircrew.