Migraine
Migraine is a form of headache which is severe and usually one sided, frequently associated with nausea and vomiting. This is sometimes preceded by warning symptoms which usually affect the eyesight and are known as an "aura".
Symptoms
People sometimes feel not quite right prior to a migraine eg depressed, unusually happy or hungry, and in addition may suffer from visual changes eg flashing, zig-zag lines, or a blind spot. Sometimes the symptoms are even more extreme. The headache is usually one sided although it is not invariably the same side. Quite quickly nausea and vomiting may follow. The bowels may also be affected and in children sometimes there is no headache but abdominal pain instead.
Causes
Each person is different but there are some "trigger" factors which are commonly involved:
- tiredness
- physical exhaustion
- stress
- climatic change
- hormones, eg the "time of the month" in women
- foods, eg caffeine, cheeses, chocolate, red wine