Migraine

Migraine is a neurological condition causing recurrent, often severe headaches with a specific set of accompanying features — our migraine vs. regular headache comparison covers how to tell them apart in more direct detail.

Migraine Symptoms

A typical migraine attack involves throbbing pain, usually on one side of the head, along with nausea, and sensitivity to light and sound significant enough to want to lie down in a dark, quiet room. Some people experience an "aura" — visual disturbances like flashing lights or blind spots, or less commonly numbness or speech difficulty — in the hour before the headache begins.

The Phases of a Migraine Attack

Migraines can progress through up to four phases: a prodrome (subtle warning signs like mood changes or food cravings, hours to a day before), aura (in some people), the headache phase itself, and a postdrome ("migraine hangover") of fatigue and difficulty concentrating afterward.

Common Triggers

Stress, hormonal changes, certain foods (aged cheese, alcohol, processed meats), skipped meals, changes in sleep pattern, and sensory stimuli (bright lights, strong smells) are frequently reported triggers, though they vary significantly between individuals.

Treatment

Acute treatment (taken during an attack) ranges from over-the-counter pain relievers for mild cases to migraine-specific prescription medications for more severe attacks. For people with frequent migraines, preventive medication taken regularly can reduce how often attacks occur. Identifying and managing personal triggers is a valuable complement to medication.