It is the repeated attack of severe headache. The pain is usually one sided and throbbing or pulsating. They are accompanied usually with nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light and sound. These headaches could last for 4hrs or to even 3 days. The pain is so severe that they interfere with the day to day activities. It is possible that it occurs several times a week or very rarely as once or twice a year.

The causes for migraines have not been exactly established. There are things that can trigger a migraine. Different people are triggered by different factors, they are

• Stress or anxiety
• Changes in hormone (in women)
• Bright light, loud sound, and strong smell
• Smoking
• Drinking alcohol
• Certain food such as chocolate, cheese, salty or processed food
• Food additives such as MSG (sometimes added to Chinese food) or aspartame (an artificial sweetener)
• Not getting enough to eat
• Sleep deprivation
• Intense physical activities
• Changes in the weather
• Some medicines

Additional symptoms are also recurrent to some people. These symptoms are called “auras”. They could include

• Numbness or a feeling of “pins and needles” in arms, legs, fingers or face
• Problems with vision (such as temporary loss of vision or seeing flashes of light, spots, or zigzag lines)
• Trouble speaking
• Weakness or difficulty in moving arms, legs or face, though rarely

It is possible to treat migraine at home along with pain medications prescribed by doctors. Lying in a dark room and some good sleep also helps during migraine.