Migraines are chronic headaches that last for hours or even days which can completely disable a person. Some migraines are preceded or accompanied by symptoms or signs (auras), such as giddiness, often nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound, flashes of light, blind spots or tingling in the arm or leg. Not all migraines are the same. Most people experience migraines without auras.

Some people may have one or more sensations of premonition (prodrome) about the headache several hours or a day or so before the headache actually strikes. Prodromal symptoms include: Feelings of elation or intense energy, Cravings for sweets, Thirst, Drowsiness, Irritability or depression, Migraines usually begin in childhood, adolescence or early adulthood. A typical migraine attack produces some or all of these signs and symptoms:

Symptoms

Moderate to severe pain, which may be confined to one side of the head or may affect both sides
Head pain with a pulsating or throbbing quality
Pain that worsens with physical activity
Pain that interferes with your regular activities
Nausea with or without vomiting
Sensitivity to light and sound
Fatigue / Tiredness
Back or Neck pain
Poor concentration
Sleep disturbance (not enough or too much)
Word finding difficulty
Blurred vision
Avoidance of bright light
Frustration, Anger
Low mood

When untreated, a migraine typically lasts from four to 72 hours, but the frequency with which headaches occur varies from person to person. Migraines can occur several times a month or much less frequently.