Understanding Migraine
A migraine is a headache that can cause severe throbbing pain or a pulsing sensation, usually on one side of the head, often accompanied by nausea and sensory sensitivity.
Key Fact: Migraines can be preceded by 'aura'—sensory disturbances such as flashes of light, blind spots, or tingling on one side of the face.
Common Symptoms
Pulsing Headache
Intense, throbbing pain that can be debilitating and last from 4 to 72 hours.
Nausea
Feeling sick to the stomach or vomiting during a migraine attack.
Light Sensitivity
Extreme discomfort when exposed to normal indoor or outdoor light (photophobia).
Sound Sensitivity
Difficulty tolerating even normal house sounds (phonophobia).
Risk Factors
- Family history
- Gender (three times more common in women)
- Hormonal changes
- Stress and anxiety
Diagnosis & Treatment
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is based on a clinical history of headaches and ruling out other neurological causes.
Common Treatments
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Triptans: Prescription medications that reverse the changes in the brain that cause migraines.
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Lifestyle Management: Identifying triggers like caffeine, certain foods, or lack of sleep.
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Preventive Meds: Daily medications like beta-blockers or anti-epileptics to reduce frequency of attacks.