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What is Migraine?
Breaking down migraine
Migraine impacts 1 in 7 people, most often between the ages of 15 and 55. And women are three times more likely to have migraine than men.
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MILLION PEOPLE in the U.S. are impacted by migraine — one of the most disabling conditions worldwide.
What is migraine?
Migraine is a neurological condition that can cause intense pain on one or both sides of the head for 4 to 72 hours. It is a recurring type of headache. But unlike other headaches, the pain often includes:
Throbbing or pulsing
Pain in the temples or behind one eye or ear
Light and sound sensitivity
Types of migraine
There are two common types of migraine: migraine with and without aura. Aura is a phase of a migraine attack when people may see flashes of light, have blind spots, or feel tingling in their hands or face.
How migraine can disrupt your life
Some people get a migraine one or two days a month. But others suffer from migraines 15 or more days each month.
While each person experiences migraine differently, the impact almost always disrupts their everyday life. The pain, nausea, sensitivity, and exhaustion make it difficult to function — which can affect work, school, and your family and social life.
What are the symptoms of migraine?
People with migraine can experience many different symptoms, which often occur within four stages of a migraine attack.
- Prodrome
- Aura
- Headache
- Postdrome
Prodrome
The first stage of a migraine can start as early as 24 hours before you get an attack. The common signs and symptoms of prodrome include:
- Food cravings
- Mood changes
- Uncontrollable yawning
- Difficulty concentrating
Aura
10 to 30 minutes prior to an attack, some people experience the aura phase. Aura may also continue in the headache phase of an attack. These symptoms may include:
- Seeing bright or flashing lights or zig-zag lines
- Feeling tingling or numbness in the hands or face
Headache
Stage three is what most people consider the attack itself. Migraines typically start gradually and become more intense over time. The most common symptoms in this stage include:
- Throbbing or pulsing pain, commonly on one side of the head
- Pain at the temples or behind one eye or ear
- Increased sensitivity to light, noise, and odors
- Nausea and vomiting
Postdrome
The state following the headache, postdrome can last up to two days after a migraine attack. Symptoms may include:
- Exhaustion
- Joyful mood
- Depressed mood
What causes migraine?
Researchers have yet to pinpoint exactly what causes migraine. Many believe you are more likely to have migraines if it's part of your family history.
More specifically, many researchers believe that a possible cause of migraine pain is related to a protein called calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). When the brain releases CGRPs, they attach to receptors and cause nerve inflammation — starting a migraine attack.
Migraine triggers
Migraine triggers are what can cause a migraine attack. In some cases, a single trigger may cause an attack. In others, several triggers may combine to start a migraine.
What triggers a migraine attack is unique to each person. And knowing what triggers your migraines can help you get ahead of them. Here are some common triggers:
Personal
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Not enough sleep
- Too much sleep
- Physical exhaustion
- Menstruation & hormonal changes
Nutrition
- Tobacco
- Alcohol
- Caffeine
- Cured & processed meats
- Dehydration
- Skipped meals
Environment
- Weather changes
- Bright or flashing lights
- Strong smells
Medicine
- Migraine medicine overuse
Need more resources?
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