A migraine is a complaint that is quite often suffered by other family members, all of which have probably been experiencing them from a young age. They usually affect one side of the head and sufferers say they can be affected anywhere from four hours to those that last for two days or more if left untreated. Almost all sufferers will complain of exhaustion and a feeling of weakness that takes some time to pass.

The frequency of attacks is not consistent with one person having one or perhaps two attacks in a month to another who may only have one a year. Often other symptoms similar to those of flu may afflict the patient; for instance, light sensitivity and chills, along with a feeling of lightheadedness as well. Migraine can affect people from as young as ten and up to the age of forty; in almost every instance however, attacks usually diminish or end in later adult life usually once the person is over 50 years old.

Hereditary links are often associated with migraine and occurrences may happen among members of a family; whilst genetic factors may be involved, this link has yet to be proved. There seems to be a common connection amongst sufferers where blood vessels and nerve endings near the brain, swell. There are three women to each man that suffer with this condition; who are only likely to have an eight percent chance of ever suffering with the problem.

Some people with the complaint are able to sense when an attack is imminent; this is called migraine with aura. The signs for this attack seem to affect the senses and can include:

*Feeling of sickness *Enlarged blind spots *Reduction in the sensations of taste *Lack of sensation in sufferers extremities

This is only a short list as other symptoms are also experienced. Migraine without aura however, is the most prevalent type and may take place only in one area of the head; these victims have no warning, but the symptoms can also be intensified if they move to much.

The current belief is that the blood vessels close to the brain might contract, increasing pressure which may cause the migraine with aura experience. If the blood vessels then expand suddenly, this may cause the intense headache; it can actually incapacitate the victim so they cannot perform even routine tasks. As there are so many situations that could trigger an attack, only a few are listed here:

*Bad weather *Certain foods *Being at great height *Certain beverages i.e. coffee *Bright lights *Irregular or missed meals *Work related stress

Only by carefully documenting everything that was going on prior to the attack can the victim hope to find out what starts the attacks off.