WHAT IS A MIGRAINE?

Migraine sufferers may experience:

which can be triggered by: dietary habits, lifestyle, external factors.

A migraine is a severe headache that usually occurs on one side of the head.

It is often described as a “throbbing” type of pain and may be accompanied
by nausea and vomiting, blurred vision and extreme sensitivity to light
and sound. It is made worse with movement.

Often, the migraine may be preceded by an ‘aura’, which occurs approximately
15-30 minutes just before the headache starts, and during which the person
may see flashing lights, or spots in front of their eyes.

Other associated symptoms may include fluid retention, irritability, personality
changes, numbness of the face or extremities, and muscle tightness of
the scalp and neck.

A MIGRAINE HAS TWO MAJOR SUB-TYPES

Most common – occurring in 90 % of sufferers
Characterised by:
• Temporary visual signs and symptoms including: Simple geometric/zigzag lines designs; shimmering spots or stars; changes/loss in vision; flashes of light
• Other sensory disturbances: Numbness/tingling usually in one hand or the face; speech/language difficulty; muscle weakness
• Each symptom begins gradually and can last from 5 minutes to 1 hour, finally followed by a headache

Classified as a recurrent headache disorder manifesting in attacks lasting 4-72 hours
Characterised by:
• Headache that occurs on one side of the head (unilateral)
• Pulsating quality
• Moderate or severe intensity
• Aggravated by routine physical activity associated with nausea and/or photophobia (light sensitivity) and phonophobia (sensitivity to loud sounds)