OverviewWhat Is Migraine?

Migraine is a neurologic disorder that often causes a strong headache. In many people, it happens in stages.

Why Migraines Aren't 'Just' a Headache

There are key features that make migraine distinct from tension headaches and cluster headaches, which are rare.

TypesMigraines vs. Chronic Migraines

if you have the condition known as chronic migraine, you get headaches 15 or more days a month for at least 3 months.

Mixed Tension Migraine

These headaches happen more than 15 days each month for at least 3 months. They can be migraine or tension headaches.

What Are High-Frequency Episodic Migraines?

If you get migraine attacks anywhere between 10 to 14 times a month, you might have high-frequency episodic migraine.

What Are Cyclic Migraines?

These are migraines that happen in cycles. They’re sometimes called cluster migraines, but that’s not correct.

Migraine With Aura

A migraine with aura can happen along with dizziness, ringing in the ears, zigzag lines in vision, or light sensitivity.

Silent Migraines

If you have a silent migraine, it means you get any of the typical migraine symptoms except for one: pain.

Status Migrainosus

Migraines can last for a few hours to a few days. But status migrainosus is a migraine that lasts for more than 72 hours.

Rare Types of Migraine

Most people get migraine without aura. But there are less common kinds of migraine that show up in other ways.

Hemiplegic Migraine Headaches

Hemiplegic migraine is a rare and serious type of migraine headache. Many of its symptoms mimic those common to stroke.

Migraine With Brainstem Aura

Migraine with brainstem aura (formerly called basilar migraines) are headaches that start in the lower part of the brain.

Abdominal Migraines

Abdominal migraines aren't headaches. They make your belly ache instead and can cause nausea, cramps, and vomiting.

Vestibular Migraines

A vestibular migraine is a nervous system problem that causes vertigo in people who have a history of migraine symptoms.

Ocular Migraines

Ocular migraines can cause vision loss or blindness for a short time. It happens before or along with a migraine headache.

What Is Ophthalmoplegic Migraine?

Ophthalmoplegic migraine is a nervous system problem. This condition causes headaches and pain around the eyeballs.

What Is a Retinal Migraine?

Retinal migraine is a rare type of migraine that causes visual disturbance in only one eye before the headache comes on.

Geriatric Headaches and Migraines

Older people have fewer headaches than younger ones. But some headaches in older age can indicate a serious condition.

Symptoms & Symptom TrackingCommon Migraine Headache Symptoms

A migraine may include symptoms such as tingling sensations, flashing lights, weird sounds, and blurred or lost vision.

Signs of a Migraine That Aren't Headache

Along with head pain, your body will send you other signs of migraine, from mood changes to feeling sick to your stomach.

Allodynia (Sensitivity to Touch)

Migraines can also make your nerves sensitive. Even the slightest touch can hurt. It's called allodynia, or "other pain."

Antiemetics for Migraine With Nausea

Nausea and throwing up lessen the effectiveness of oral medications to treat migraine. That’s where antiemetics come in.

When Migraines Get Worse

Migraine often gets better over years, but not always. One way migraine can get worse is when it becomes chronic.

When to Call the Doctor About Your Migraine

Know your personal migraine headache symptoms -- what’s normal for you and what’s not, and when you need emergency help.

Managing Severe Migraine Symptoms and Side Effects

There’s no cure for migraine, but you can take steps to ease the pain and make your attacks happen less often.

Causes & TriggersMigraine Causes

Doctors aren’t sure what causes migraine headaches. They think imbalances in certain brain chemicals may play a role.

The Link Between Migraine and Dehydration

Dehydration and head pain can go hand and hand. If you get migraines, you’ll want to make sure to prevent this trigger.

Tyramine and Migraines

In some people, certain foods and drinks can trigger a migraine. One well-accepted migraine trigger is tyramine.

Alcohol as a Migraine Trigger

If you're prone to migraine headaches, drinking even a small amount of alcohol can bring on an attack.

Can Changes in Weather Trigger Migraine?

Many things, from genetics to imbalances in the brain, play roles in causing headaches. Could weather also play a role?

Migraine and Intimacy

A quarter of patients in one study said migraine headaches changed the quality of sexual intimacy and also the frequency.

How Dental Problems Can Trigger Migraine Headaches

Pain that starts in temporomandibular joints or the muscles around them can travel to your skull and lead to a migraine.

Tests & DiagnosisCommon Misdiagnoses of Migraine

When it comes to migraine headaches, some studies suggest fewer than half of the people get the right diagnosis.

Can You Go to the ER for Migraine?

Most people who go to the ER for migraine pain are just having a migraine attack, not a medical emergency.

Spinal Taps for Headache and Migraine Diagnosis

If you have headaches or migraines, a doctor may use a spinal tap to look for signs of what could be causing your pain.

EEG for Headache and Migraine Diagnosis

Your doctor may order an EEG to look for signs of seizures, which can cause symptoms similar to those seen in migraine.

MRIs for Headache and Migraine Diagnosis

Your doctor might recommend an MRI if you're getting headaches daily or almost every day.

CT Scans for Headache and Migraine Diagnosis

You might need a CT scan if you have headaches daily or almost every day or have a sudden onset severe headache.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Migraine in People of Color

People of color and other underserved groups face hurdles in getting proper migraine care.

First Neurologist Visit for Migraine: What to Expect

Your primary care doctor may refer you to a neurologist if they think your head pain could be something more serious.

Talking to Your Doctor About Your Migraine

Getting the most helpful treatment depends on good communication between you and your doctor.

Drug & Surgical TreatmentMigraine Treatments Overview

You and your doctor have a range of treatment options, either to stop a migraine attack or to prevent it from starting.

Over-the-Counter Medications for Migraines

You may not need a prescription to treat your migraines. Over-the-counter (OTC) medications work well for some people.

Acute Migraine Treatments

If you get severe migraines frequently, choose what works, use it first, and use it fast. This is called acute treatment.

Botox Injections for Migraine Treatment

Doctors think Botox works for migraines because it blocks neurotransmitters that carry pain signals from your brain.

Triptans for Migraine Treatment

In some cases, OTC pain relievers may help migraines. But if they don't, your doctor may suggest you try a triptan drug.

Beta-Blockers for Migraine

A drug that is used to treat hypertension can lessen headaches for some people. These drugs are called beta-blockers.

Ergot Alkaloids for Migraine

Ergot alkaloids are headache medicines that are used only to treat severe headaches like migraine and cluster headaches.

Can Trigger Point Injections Relieve Your Migraine Pain?

Trigger point injections are among the options your doctor may use to ease your pain from migraine headaches.

Migraine Medication Overuse

Excessive use of migraine medicines actually can do the opposite of what you want. It can cause even more headaches.

Nerve Release Surgery for Migraine

If you have a migraine diagnosis and treatment doesn’t help, nerve decompression surgery may be an option for you.

Latest Research on Migraine Treatments

Therapy advances include new drugs and delivery systems that may work better, with fewer side effects than older migraine drugs.

Complementary & Alternative TreatmentAlternative and Complementary Treatments for Migraines

OTC and prescription medications can ease migraine, but complementary and alternative treatments may help, too.

Massage Therapy for Migraine

Medication is a common way to prevent and treat migraine headaches. Some research suggests massage therapy may help.

Physical Therapy for Migraine

Physical therapy techniques can help temporarily lessen your pain during a migraine attack.

Biofeedback for Migraine

Biofeedback therapy has been found to be an effective treatment to reduce intense migraine attacks.

Medical Marijuana and CBD Oil for Migraines

Some research shows that marijuana may help ease migraine symptoms or possibly keep them from starting.

Daith Piercings as Migraine Treatment

Daith piercings have become increasingly popular. One reason may be claims that these piercings can treat migraine.

Magnesium for Migraine

Scientists aren’t sure if magnesium supplements stifle migraines. But there’s enough evidence to pose it's worth a try.

Preventative TreatmentMedicines That Can Prevent Migraine Headaches

The ideal approach: Stop a migraine before it starts. To do that, your doctor may consider certain prescription drugs.

How Migraine Prevention Treatments Work

Today's migraine treatments target what we know play a role to help stop an attack before one even starts.

Prevent Migraines and Headaches by Managing Stress

When stress persists, the body begins to break down and illnesses, like headaches and migraines, can occur.

How Managing Sleep Problems Can Prevent Migraines

If migraines are a regular part of your life, you may want to tweak your sleep schedule.

Risks & Complications Complications of Migraines

Migraine complications can be serious enough to send you to the hospital or leave you simply uncomfortable or queasy.

Migraine and Brain Lesions

You’ve probably wondered if migraines affect the brain. Migraines can cause brain lesions, which are areas of damage.

Migraines and the Link to Other Health Conditions

When you have migraines, there are certain other conditions you might be at higher risk for.

The Link Between Allergies and Migraines

Migraine and sinus headaches can be confused. They share symptoms, like a pounding head, sinus pressure, and stuffy nose.

Are Migraines Linked to Heart Disease and Stroke?

Studies show that some folks who get migraines are also more likely to have strokes and heart attacks.

Migraines and Epilepsy: Is There a Link?

If you have epilepsy, you’re more than twice as likely to get migraines as someone who doesn’t.

MS and Migraines: Is There a Link?

Research shows that people with MS tend to have more headaches, including migraines, than others.

What Is a Migrainous Infarction?

If you have an ischemic stroke during a migraine with aura attack, doctors call that a “migrainous infarction.”

Lifestyle & SupportCosts of Migraine

Migraines are a lot to manage. If you need treatment for them, you’ll need to keep an eye on your bank balance as well.

When Migraines Interfere With Your Life

Migraines can last for days. There are things you can do when migraines disrupt your life.

Driving and Migraine: What to Do

There's never a good time to get a migraine headache. But it could be unsafe if it strikes while you’re behind the wheel.

Travel Tips for People Who Get Migraines

No one wants to be waylaid by a migraine while traveling. You can do things to help keep your next trip migraine-free.

Enjoying a Night Out With Friends When You Have Migraines

With lifestyle changes and planning, it’s possible to live with migraines and enjoy time with your friends.

Plant-Based Diets for Migraine

According to a small group of studies, diets that focus on low-fat, plant-based foods hold promise for managing migraine.

Yoga for Migraine

You may be eager to find exercises that don’t trigger or worsen your migraine headache pain. One good option is yoga.

Migraine Resources

If you’re looking for info or to connect with others with similar migraine experiences, here are sources to get started.

Migraine in WomenHormonal Headaches and Menstrual Migraines

Certain types of headaches are linked to changing levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone in your body.

Migraine Headaches and Pregnancy

If you're pregnant and experience migraines, you might be glad to know that pregnancy eases migraines for many women.

Migraines and Menopause

For many women, menopause brings a welcome end to these headaches.

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