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.

Most people are not aware that migraines can actually be hereditary and start when a person is still quite young. 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. Even when the headache has finally left the victim is still left exhausted and unable to perform properly for some time.

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. Some symptoms seem to be consistent with most victims; those of a feeling like those associated with cold or influenza and a problem with bright lights. Migraine is most prevalent in people between the ages of ten to forty years old; strangely, very few individuals suffer with this condition after they reach fifty years old.

Hereditary links are often associated with migraine and occurrences may happen among members of a family; too date however, no definitive, confirmed hereditary cause has so far been found. Sufferers may acquire sensitivity to a medical condition that brings about inflammation in the blood vessels and nerves near the brain, resulting to pain. 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:

*Queasiness *Blinking or zigzagging lights *Loss in the sensation of taste *Lack of sensation in victim's face

These are the most commonly experienced symptoms. 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.

Some medical experts believe it is the contracting blood vessels that are responsible for the migraine with aura effect. If the blood vessels then expand suddenly, this may cause the intense headache; those who are afflicted say the headache is often so intense that it impedes with regular routinely daily activity and may even keep them awake. The range of possible triggers that create an attack is huge; the most common are listed below:

*Adverse weather *Certain food groups *Being at great height *Particular drinks *Strong bright lights *Poor sleep patterns *Tension

It is therefore a good idea for the victim to see if there is a pattern to the attacks which could then make it easier to avoid them.

If you suffer form very painful headaches and have done so since you were young, the chances are you may suffer from migraines which are often experienced by other members of a family group. 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. Most sufferers will confirm just how tiring an attack is even once it has passed.

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. Many of the symptoms experienced by sufferers are closely connected to other everyday illnesses. Migraine can affect people from as young as ten and up to the age of forty; although it is unusual for the condition to afflict anyone over the age of fifty.

Hereditary links are often associated with migraine and occurrences may happen among members of a family; if there is a genetic reason for the attacks, medical science has not yet found this link. One area that does seem to have a connection is the medical condition where the blood vessels in the head can become swollen. With this condition, women do not fare as well as men with a ratio of 3 to 1 suffering from the condition regularly; 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.

Some people with the complaint are able to sense when an attack is imminent; this is called migraine with aura. There are many indications this may happen which will vary between sufferers which can be one or more of the following:

*Queasiness *Blinking or zigzagging lights *Reduction in the sensations of taste *Lack of sensation in the person's tongue

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.

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. Some suggest that it is the rapid expansion after this narrowing that causes the awful headaches; whatever the cause, sufferers all agree that an attack stops them from doing anything in their daily lives until it has receded. There are many possible triggers for an attack some of which are shown below:

*Adverse weather *Certain food groups *Being at great height *Certain beverages i.e. coffee *Strong intense sunlight *Not enough sleep *Stress caused by personal problems

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.

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. Most suffers will go to bed as the headache (usually on one side) takes hold and which could last a matter of a few hours but if left without attention, could last for days. It is a debilitating condition that leaves its victims feeling weakened and exhausted even when the pain has subsided.

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. Many of the symptoms experienced by sufferers are closely connected to other everyday illnesses. Most migraine attacks occur between the ages of 10 to 40 years old although why this is no-one really knows; although it is unusual for the condition to afflict anyone over the age of fifty.

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; even though there may be a link, so far it has eluded medical science. It is believed that victims have a certain susceptibility in their brains that allows the blood vessels and nerves to become inflamed. With this condition, women do not fare as well as men with a ratio of 3 to 1 suffering from the condition regularly; 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.

Another symptom that is not consistent is those people that know when they are going to have an attack anything up to 30 minutes before it happens; this sensation is called migraine with aura owing to the type of feeling they experience. There are many warning indicators of the attack:

*Sickness *Problems with vision *Strange sounds or smell *Problems with speech

these are the most commonly experienced symptoms. Migraine sufferers who do not have any warning are said to have attack without aura but still suffer extreme pain; this progressively builds up to full excruciating intensity which is aggravated by continuous motion, light or noise often causing nausea and vomiting.

The exact reason for having migraine is not clear and yet to be discovered but one assumption is that the blood vessels in areas of the brain become narrower which may be the explanation for the aura. Some suggest that it is the rapid expansion after this narrowing that causes the awful headaches; however, all suffers say the attack knocks them out and they are unable to carry out even the most simple of daily tasks. As there are so many situations that could trigger an attack, only a few are listed here:

*Bad weather *Certain foods *Traveling in a plane *Certain groups of drink *Strong intense sunlight *Poor sleep patterns *Stress caused by personal problems

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.

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. Normally lasting for a couple of hours or more when medication is administered, most are normally felt just on one side of the head but can affect someone for many days if they haven't taken anything to ease the pain. Once the episode has finished, the victim will still require rest as they will probably feel very tired.

One thing that is still unknown is why some people have much more frequent attacks than others. Some symptoms seem to be consistent with most victims; those of a feeling like those associated with cold or influenza and a problem with bright lights. Migraine is most prevalent in people between the ages of ten to forty years old; almost no cases are recorded after the age of 50.

Members of the same family are often cursed with migraine and there is believed to be a hereditary link; 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. With this condition, women do not fare as well as men with a ratio of 3 to 1 suffering from the condition regularly; 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.

Another symptom that is not consistent is those people that know when they are going to have an attack anything up to 30 minutes before it happens; this sensation is called migraine with aura owing to the type of feeling they experience. There are many warning indicators of the attack:

*Feeling of sickness *Enlarged blind spots *Sense of smell and taste is affected *Difficulty with verbal skills
whilst there are many more symptoms, the list above contains those which are most prevalent. Migraine sufferers who do not have any warning are said to have attack without aura but still suffer extreme pain; this progressively builds up to full excruciating intensity which is aggravated by continuous motion, light or noise often causing nausea and vomiting.

It is believed that conditions that cause the blood vessels in the brain to contract could be an explanation for migraine but this still hasn't been proved so the search for cause continues. This narrowing of vessels then leads to an expansion and this pressure change may be the reason 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:

*Poor weather conditions *Food belonging to certain groups *Height *Particular drinks *Strong bright lights *Not enough food *Stress

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.