A migraine is a form of very painful and long lasting head pain, quite unlike a normal headache which can start in people in their formative years. 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. An attack is debilitating and sufferers are usually left feeling crippled and exhausted after the head pain has passed.

The frequency of attacks between sufferers is not consistent with some only having one episode 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. What isn't understood is why migraines can start at an age as early as ten but normally stop before someone reaches 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.

Whilst family groups are known to share attacks, so far there has been a problem finding a genetic trait that links certain family members to migraines; if there is a genetic reason for the attacks, medical science has not yet found this link. It is believed that victims have a certain susceptibility in their brains that allows the blood vessels and nerves to become inflamed. Another area that still isn't fully understood is why these headaches are more prevalent in women with approximately three times as many women suffering than men; one in every 4 women will be a victim of it, whilst only 1 in 12 men will suffer with it at some point in their life.

One of the signs - migraine with aura, is characterized by an unusual sensation (aura) that is in occurrence 10 to 30 minutes prior to the head pain. The warning signs may include:

*Sickness *Vision is affected *Reduction in the sensations of taste *Lack of sensation in sufferers extremities

these are the most commonly experienced symptoms. The most common type of this condition is known as migraine without aura; this condition can escalate and is made worse by any movement, loud noises and bright lights which can cause the person to vomit.

At the moment the theory that blood vessels leading to the brain become narrower and affect the nerves is the closest science has come to discovering the cause of migraines. The blood vessels may then expand afterwards, which might account for the headache; most victims become unable to do anything for some time after the attack. There are many possible triggers for an attack some of which are shown below:

*Poor weather conditions *Certain foods *Traveling in a plane *Drinks containing caffeine *Strong intense sunlight *Insomnia *Personal or work pressures

Monitoring and recording the triggers in a diary can help avoid future attacks so it is something that all sufferers must learn to carry out.