Migraines

What are Migraines?

A migraine is an extreme throbbing headache, which usually affects one side. It affects around 1 in 5 women and around 1 in 15 men. There are 3 types of migraines :

Migraine without aura - most common signs, migraine begins without warning signs
Migraine with aura - warning signs before the migraine begins
Migraine aura without headache - other migraine symptoms are experienced, without a headache

What causes Migraines?

The exact cause is unknown. It is thought to be the result of abnormal brain activity temporarily affecting nerve signals (CN 5), chemicals, and blood vessels in the brain.

Around 50%, have relatives who experience migraines.
Environmental factors appear to play a role

What are the symptoms?

The main symptom of migraines is an intense headache on one side of the head, which may affect the face or neck. It can be described as :

Severe throbbing pain
Sharp shocking pain

Other symptoms include :

Nausea and vomiting
Increased sensitivity to light and sound
Sweating
Poor concentration
Dizziness
Fatigue
Numbness and tingling

Can anything trigger the pain?

The main triggers for migraines are :

Stress
Skipping Meals
Dehydration
Excessive Alcohol
Concussion / Head injury
Cold and Flu
Sinusitis
The 5 C's - cheese, chocolate, coffee, caffeine and citrus fruits

Imaging In Diagnosis

If a patient's migraines are complex or severe, imaging may be used to find the cause :

MRI Scan, to rule out tumours, strokes, infection, and any other reasons for the pain.
CT Scan, to rule out other medical conditions causing the migraines.

Migraines

What are the symptoms?

Can anything trigger the pain?

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A patient's Experience