Migraines

Some people experience migraine warning symptoms called the aura, which involves both electrical and chemical changes in the brain as well as a reduction in the flow of blood to parts of the brain. The aura can affect vision, causing flashing lights, zigzag lines, or a vague awareness that something is wrong. Some people may experience numbness or difficulty forming words or thoughts. When a migraine follows the aura, it is known as a migraine with aura. Occasionally, the aura occurs without a migraine, this is known as a migraine equivalent attack.

Most patients have no aura (known as migraine without aura). Some people may, however, notice irritability or mood swings before the attack. Other symptoms associated with migraine are nausea, vomiting, severe pulsating or throbbing pain, sensitivity to light and noise, dizziness, and lightheadness. Sometimes the pain is located on only one side of the head.

If your headache has any two features from Group A below, plus any one feature from Group B, chances are you have migraine.

Group A:

	Pain is one-sided.
	Pain is throbbing.
	Pain is bad enough to interfere with or prevent normal activity.
	Pain is worsened by activity.

Group B:

	Nausea or vomiting comes with the pain.
	Sensitivity to light and noise comes with the pain.

A recent large study reveled these facts about the extent of migraine:

	At least 6% of males and 18% of females suffer from migraine.
	Proneness or susceptibility is largely hereditary.
	70-90% of migraine sufferers have family members who are affected.
	Over half of people who have migraines have never been diagnosed.
	Until puberty, migraine is equally common among boys and girls.
	After puberty, migraine is 2-3 times more common among females.

Fluctuations in estrogen levels seem to bring on migraine attacks. Thus, females usually experience changes in headaches during pregnancy, menopause, or when they use birth control pills. Severe attacks are common during or just before menstrual periods.