A migraine is usually a moderate or severe episodic headache felt as a throbbing pain on one side of the head that lasts from 4 to 72 hours. Headache is often accompanied by other symptoms like disturbed vision, sensitivity to light, sound and smells, feeling sick and vomiting.
The cause of migraine is unknown but is thought to be related to temporary changes to chemicals, nerves and blood vessels in the brain. Migraines can occur with specific warning signs, no warning at all or with a range of symptoms but no headache.
It is important to seek emergency medical attention if you experience paralysis or weakness on one side, slurred speech, sudden agonizing headache (thunderclap headache), or headache with fever, stiff neck, confusion, seizures, double vision and rash.
