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. Sometimes they will last for many days but usually for a few hours but can be so painful that the victim has to go to bed. Not only is the victim in pain but they can be physically exhausted after the attack.

There doesn't seem to be any regularity to the attacks either as one individual might have a number each month whilst another sufferer will only have an attack once a year. A number of the symptoms associated with this condition resemble those seen in people with other common complaints. Most migraine attacks occur between the ages of 10 to 40 years old although why this is no-one really knows; however, by the time someone reaches fifty, attacks almost never occur.

It is quite common for members of the same family group to suffer with migraine attacks; if there is a genetic reason for the attacks, medical science has not yet found this link. An inflammation of blood vessels and nerves near the victim's brain seems to be a common trait amongst sufferers. More women suffer from attacks and they comprise 75 percent of reported cases; 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. There are many warning indicators of the attack:

*Nausea is very common *Blinking or zigzagging lights *Loss in the sensation of taste *Problems whilst speaking

There are many more symptoms, the list above contains those which are most prevalent. The most common type of this condition is known as migraine without aura; many early indications felt by those who have a warning are symptoms felt by those who have no warning but their condition can be made worse if they are in constant motion.

Some medical experts believe it is the contracting blood vessels that are responsible for the migraine with aura effect. 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 factors that can trigger an attack ranging from:

*Weather patterns *Food belonging to certain groups *Altitude *Certain beverages i.e. coffee *Bright lights *Not enough food *Stress caused by personal problems

It is for a person to keep a check to see if they have a pattern by which they can avoid situations that could lead to an attack.