Migraine

A migraine is usually a moderate or severe headache felt as a throbbing pain on one side of the head. Many people also have symptoms like nausea, vomiting and increased sensitivity to light or sound.

There are several types of migraine, including:

migraine with aura – where there are warning signs before the migraine begins, like seeing flashing lights migraine without aura – the most common type, where the migraine occurs without warning signs migraine aura without headache, also known as silent migraine – where an aura or other migraine symptoms are experienced, without a headache

Some people have frequent migraines up to several times a week. Other people only have occasional migraines. It’s possible for years to pass between migraine attacks.


There are several types of migraine, including:

migraine with aura – where there are warning signs before the migraine begins, like seeing flashing lights migraine without aura – the most common type, where the migraine occurs without warning signs migraine aura without headache, also known as silent migraine – where an aura or other migraine symptoms are experienced, without a headache

Some people have frequent migraines up to several times a week. Other people only have occasional migraines. It’s possible for years to pass between migraine attacks.


migraine with aura – where there are warning signs before the migraine begins, like seeing flashing lights migraine without aura – the most common type, where the migraine occurs without warning signs migraine aura without headache, also known as silent migraine – where an aura or other migraine symptoms are experienced, without a headache

Some people have frequent migraines up to several times a week. Other people only have occasional migraines. It’s possible for years to pass between migraine attacks.

Symptoms

The main symptom of a migraine is usually an intense headache on one side of the head. In some cases, the pain can occur on both sides of your head and may affect your face or neck.

The pain is usually a moderate or severe throbbing sensation. The pain gets worse when you move and may prevent you from carrying out normal activities.

Other symptoms associated with a migraine include:

nausea vomiting increased sensitivity to light and sound – which is why many people with a migraine want to rest in a quiet, dark room

Some people experience other symptoms, including:

sweating poor concentration feeling very hot or very cold abdominal (tummy) pain diarrhoea dizziness (light headedness)

Not everyone with a migraine experiences these additional symptoms. Some people may experience them without having a headache.

The symptoms of a migraine usually last between 4 hours and 3 days. You may feel very tired for up to a week afterwards.

Symptoms of aura

About 1 in 3 people with migraines have temporary warning symptoms, known as aura, before a migraine. These include:

visual problems – such as seeing flashing lights, zig-zag patterns or blind spots numbness or a tingling sensation like pins and needles – which usually starts in one hand and moves up your arm before affecting your face, lips and tongue difficulty speaking

Sometimes, you might also experience:

feeling dizzy or off balance loss of consciousness – although this is unusual

Aura symptoms typically develop over the course of about 5 minutes and last for up to an hour. The aura might start before the headache or you might experience it at the same time as a headache. Some people may experience aura followed by only a mild headache or no headache at all.

Speak to your GP if: you have frequent or severe migraine symptoms

Phone 999 if you or someone you’re with experiences: paralysis or weakness in one or both arms and/or one side of the face slurred or garbled speech a sudden agonising headache resulting in a blinding pain unlike anything experienced before headache along with a high temperature (fever), stiff neck, mental confusion, seizures, double vision and a rash These symptoms may be a sign of a more serious condition, like a stroke or meningitis. You should be assessed by a doctor as soon as possible.