- International Headache Society Definition: Unilateral severe
headache pain with a pounding quality that often occurs with
nausea and/or sensitivity to head movement, sound and light. The
headache must recur in order for a diagnosis to be confirmed. -
Migraines may have an associated "aura": this is an accompanying
cluster of visual and sensory symptoms, altered sensation
("paresthesias"), or numbness; migraine without aura is more
common. - Migraine headaches are nearly three times more common
in women as in men. - Migraines affect 17% of all adult women
and 6% of adult men. - Migraines occur most often between - In
women, migraines generally resolve after menopause. - Migraines
have several triggers that vary from patient to patient. They
include: hormonal changes (e.g. "menstrual migraine", early
pregnancy), hormonal medications (e.g. birth control pills,
hormone replacement therapy), certain odors (e.g. perfume), red
wine, MSG, nitrates, sulfites, flickering lights, chocolate,
aged cheese, stress, change