What are the symptoms of migraine?

Symptoms of MIGRAINE are: (1) Headache. (2) Pain over the temples. (3) Throbbing headache. (4) Headache affecting one side of my head. (5) Nausea or vomiting. (6) Family history of headaches. (7) Headache worsens with insufficient sleep. (8) Headache worsens with emotional stress. (9) Headache after eating chocolate or cheese. (10) Saw flashing lights right before the headache started. (11) Dizziness. (12) Forehead pain. (13) Mental stress or physical exhaustion. (14) Pain at the back of the eye. (15) Headache worsens in crowded places. (16) Headache worsens with chewing. (17) Loss of appetite. (18) Headache worsens after long hours of desk work. (19) Easily fatigued. (20) Headaches worsened by strong smells. (21) Eyes are sensitive to bright light. (22) Heartburn; painful burning feeling in the chest or throat. (23) Pain in the whole head and neck

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Reviewed By:

Caroline M. Doan, DO (Internal medicine)

Dr. Doan received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from UCLA. Prior to obtaining her medical degree, she was involved in oncology clinical research at City of Hope, a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in southern California. She attended medical school at Touro University California, and completed her residency in Internal Medicine at Oregon Health & Science University. She is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and holds an active medical license in several states. She currently works as a physician for Signify Health providing home-based health care.

Shohei Harase, MD (Neurology)

Dr. Harase spent his junior and senior high school years in Finland and the U.S. After graduating from the University of Washington (Bachelor of Science, Molecular and Cellular Biology), he worked for Apple Japan Inc. before entering the University of the Ryukyus School of Medicine. He completed his residency at Okinawa Prefectural Chubu Hospital, where he received the Best Resident Award in 2016 and 2017. In 2021, he joined the Department of Cerebrovascular Medicine at the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, specializing in hyperacute stroke.

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Headache over the entire head
Have nausea
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I have a headache when I cough
Headache at night
Headache on one side
Bilateral headache

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Learn more about Migraine

Content updated on Sep 20, 2022

What is migraine?

A type of headache that typically presents as throbbing, pulsating pain on one side of the head, sometimes with associated nausea or sensitivity to light and sound. Sometimes, sensory disturbances, such as vision changes (seeing flashing lights or zigzag lines), can occur before the headache. The pain may worsen on exposure to bright lights or loud noise. Triggers for migraine include stress, poor sleep, caffeine, and hormonal changes in women.

Symptoms of migraine

Headache
Pain over the temples
Throbbing headache
Headache affecting one side of my head
Nausea or vomiting
Family history of headaches
Headache worsens with insufficient sleep
Headache worsens with emotional stress

Questions your doctor may ask to check for migraine

Your doctor may ask these questions to diagnose migraine

Do you have headaches or does your head feel heavy?
Do you have pain around your temples?
Do you have a pulsating and throbbing headache?
Do you have pain on only one side of you head?
Do you have nausea or vomiting?

Treatment for migraine

Treatment of this condition aims to stop attacks and prevent future attacks. Medicines to stop an ongoing migraine include painkillers, caffeine-containing pills, and anti-nausea drugs. Knowing your own triggers is important to prevent future attacks. The doctor may prescribe migraine prevention pills as well.

View the symptoms of Migraine

Diseases related to Migraine

References

Silberstein SD. Migraine. Lancet. 2004 Jan 31;363(9406):381-91. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(04)15440-8. PMID: 15070571.
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(04)15440-8/fulltext
Shah DR, Dilwali S, Friedman DI. Migraine Aura Without Headache [corrected]. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2018 Sep 17;22(11):77. doi: 10.1007/s11916-018-0725-1. Erratum in: Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2018 Oct 20;22(12):85. PMID: 30225597.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11916-018-0725-1
Ha H, Gonzalez A. Migraine Headache Prophylaxis. Am Fam Physician. 2019 Jan 1;99(1):17-24. PMID: 30600979.
https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2019/0101/p17.html
Peters GL. Migraine overview and summary of current and emerging treatment options. Am J Manag Care. 2019 Jan;25(2 Suppl):S23-S34. PMID: 30681821.
https://www.ajmc.com/view/migraine-overview-and-summary--of-current-and-emerging-treatment-options
Dieterich M, Obermann M, Celebisoy N. Vestibular migraine: the most frequent entity of episodic vertigo. J Neurol. 2016 Apr;263 Suppl 1:S82-9. doi: 10.1007/s00415-015-7905-2. Epub 2016 Apr 15. PMID: 27083888; PMCID: PMC4833782.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00415-015-7905-2