About This Condition Migraines are very painful headaches that
usually begin on only one side of the head and may become worse
with exposure to light. Migraines are commonly preceded by
warning symptoms (prodrome), that may include depression,
irritability, restlessness, loss of appetite, and a
characteristic “aura”—usually a visual disturbance such as
flashing lights or a localized area of blindness that follows
the appearance of brilliantly coloured shimmering lights.
Migraines may also involve nausea, vomiting, and changes in
vision. Healthy Lifestyle Tips Some doctors have found that
reactions to smoking and birth control pills can be additional
contributing factors in migraines. Infection with Helicobacter
pylori (H. pylori, an organism that causes peptic ulcers) may
predispose people to migraine headaches. In a preliminary trial,
40% of migraine sufferers were found to have H. pylori
infection. Intensity, duration, and frequency of attacks of
migraine were significantly reduced in all participants in wh