Although migraine is a result of abnormal brain activity, the causes are still unclear. Around 70 per cent of people who report migraines have a family history of the condition, but because of misdiagnosis, family history may remain hidden.
Migraine attacks usually involve intense, one-sided throbbing head pain. They are also generally accompanied by other symptoms, ranging from nausea and sickness to sensitivity to light, sounds and smells. There may be nasal congestion, tears and sweating. Sometimes there is tingling in limbs, neck pain, even one-sided paralysis and slurred speech, so occasionally it looks almost like a stroke. And around 20 per cent of people who suffer from migraines get the strange visual or auditory hallucinations known as aura. Because the symptoms of migraine are so broad, it is often misunderstood and misdiagnosed.
So if you think you might suffer from migraine, seek professional advice ...
To continue reading this article, subscribe to receive access to all of newscientist.com, including 20 years of archive content.
