Health encyclopaedia

Health encyclopaedia - Alphabetical Topic List

Migraine

Migraine refers to a recurrent severe headache. These headaches are often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and/or sensitivity to sound. Migraines tend to occur at intervals; there may be days, weeks or months between attacks. Attacks can last between 4 and 72 hours.

The term migraine comes from the words ‘hemicrania’, meaning one-sided headache. In most cases the pain occurs only on one side of the head.

Migraines are different from tension headaches. Some people experience an ‘aura’ (visual disturbance) sometime before the headache and other symptoms begin. This was formerly known as a ‘classical’ migraine. A migraine without an aura is a ‘common’ migraine.

Migraine occurs more commonly in women than men and usually begins between the teens and the forties. As well as adolescents, the age group 30-40 is commonly affected.

Children can also be affected by migraine. Migraine attacks in children usually start in the early to mid teens (puberty), but can start at any age. Boys tend to start getting migraine headaches at a younger age than girls.

It is estimated that almost 6 million people in the UK are affected by migraine. In some cases, it appears to run in families.

• Symptoms
• Causes
• Diagnosis
• Prevention
• Complications
• Treatment
• References

• Macular degenerationMagnesium testMalariaMale contraceptive pillMalignant melanomaMalnutritionMarfan syndromeMastectomyMastitisMénière’s diseaseMeaslesMeningitisMenopauseMental healthMental health servicesMental health specialist servicesMicroalbumin testMigraineMiscarriageMMRMobile phone safetyMolesMolluscum contagiosumMorning sicknessMotor neurone diseaseMouth ulcerMRI scanMRSAMucositisMultiple myelomaMultiple sclerosisMumpsMunchausen’s syndromeMuscular dystrophyMyasthenia gravis

  ---