Say the word 'migraine' to most people and they will immediately think 'headache'. But headache is just one of a range of symptoms that characterise migraine, which is a neurological condition. Migraine is an intermittently occurring, mainly unilateral, pulsating headache of moderate to severe intensity which can be aggravated by routine physical activity. Its other symptoms can include nausea and vomiting, extreme sensitivity to light (photophobia), sound (phonophobia) and smells (osmophobia) and in some cases, visual disturbances such as flashing lights, blind spots in the vision and zig-zag patterns before the eyes. These visual disturbances are called 'aura' and occur in approximately 15% of migraineurs.
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Migraine is much more than a headache. If you endure frequent or severe migraines, you know migraine headaches are part of a chronic, disabling condition. Migraine attacks are associated with throbbing pain, often on one side of the head, nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light, sound, smell or movement.
Migraines are three times more common in women than in men. It is estimated that nowadays 18% of women, 6% of men and an increasing number of children suffer from migraine. Migraines negatively affect people, their personal lives, and their work.
If you or someone you know has migraine, you probably understand how painful and debilitating it can be. The pain of migraine is real, and has a serious impact on all aspects of a sufferer's life.
Every migraine sufferer is different, which is why there are different ways to treat migraine. Gaining knowledge and understanding about your migraine gives you the upper hand. To take back control, know your migraine treatment options.
Learn more about the symptoms of migraine.
