Migraines often start in a persons teen years and are very painful headaches nothing like a usual headache that will go after taking a couple of pain killers. Anyone who suffers will tell you they are nothing like a traditional headache and often require the person to go to bed, subsiding within three to four hours but much longer, days in fact, if no treatment is given. Most sufferers will confirm just how tiring an attack is even once it has passed.

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. 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. 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.

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. It is believed that victims have a certain susceptibility in their brains that allows the blood vessels and nerves to become inflamed. 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.

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. There are many warning indicators of the attack:

*Sickness *Enlarged blind spots *Sense of smell and taste is affected *Lack of sensation in victim's face

These are the most commonly experienced symptoms. 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.

Whilst the exact reason why some people suffer with migraine still eludes medical science, the theory that the narrowing of blood vessels to the brain is the closest they have come to discovering a migraines cause. If the blood vessels then expand suddenly, this may cause the intense headache; however, all suffers say the attack knocks them out and they are unable to carry out even the most simple of daily tasks. A sufferer could have one or more triggers to each attack; the most common complaints are highlighted below:

*Bad weather *Food belonging to certain groups *High altitude *Particular drinks *Very bright internal lighting *Not enough sleep *Work related 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.

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.