Migraine Headache
- Migraine Headache Overview
- Migraine Headache Causes
- Migraine Headache Symptoms
- When to Seek Medical Care
- Exams and Tests
- Migraine Headache Treatment
- Self-Care at Home
- Medical Treatment
- Other Therapy
- Next Steps
- Follow-up
- Prevention
- Outlook
- For More Information
- Web Links
- Multimedia
- Synonyms and Keywords
- Authors and Editors
- Related migraine articles:
Migraine - on WebMD
Migraine - on MedicineNet - Pictures of Headache & Migraine Triggers - Slideshow
- Viewer Comments: Migraine Headache - Effective Treatments
Migraine Headache Overview
Migraine headaches are one of the most common problems seen in emergency departments and doctors' offices. Migraines are due to changes in the brain and surrounding blood vessels.
Migraine headaches typically last from 4-72 hours and vary in frequency from daily to fewer than 1 per year. Migraine affects about 15% of the population. Three times as many women as men have migraines. More than 80% of people with migraines (called migraineurs) have other members in the family who have them too.
- Different types of migraine headaches
- Common migraine accounts for 80% of migraines. There is no "aura" before a common migraine.
- People with classic migraines experience an aura before their headaches. Most often, an aura is a visual disturbance (outlines of lights or jagged light images). Classic migraines are usually much more severe than common migraines.
- Status migrainosus is a migraine that does not go away by itself.
- Common migraine accounts for 80% of migraines. There is no "aura" before a common migraine.
Next: Migraine Headache Causes »
Viewer Comments & Reviews
Migraine Headache - Effective Treatments
The eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:
What kinds of treatments have been effective for your migraine headache?
| Printer-Friendly Format | | | Email to a Friend |
Living Better
Find the secrets to longer life.
From WebMD
Migraines and Headaches Resources
- 6 Places Germs Lurk in Your Home
- Is Your Home Making Your Sick?
- Headaches From Allergies? Get Mobile Pollen Alerts
Featured Centers
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
Read What Your Physician is Reading on eMedicine
Migraine Headache »
Migraines are severe, throbbing headaches frequently located in the temples or frontal head regions.
Explore 80+ Centers
- Allergy
- Allergy Medications
- Anaphylaxis
- Antidepressants
- Anxiety
- Arthritis
- Asthma
- Baby's Health
- Back, Neck, Head Injury
- Bioterrorism, Warfare
- Blood, Lymphatic System
- Bone, Joint, Muscle
- Brain, Nervous System
- Breathing Difficulties
- Burns
- Camping
- Cancer, Tumors
- Children's Health
- Cholesterol
- Cold and Flu
- CPR, Choking
- Cuts, Scrapes, Bruises
- Dementia
- Depression
- Diabetes
- Diabetic Coma, Insulin Shock
- Digestive System
- Dislocations
- Drowning
- Drug Overdose
- Ear, Nose, Throat
- Emotional Wellness
- Endocrine System
- Environmental Injuries
- Erectile Dysfunction
- Exercise, Nutrition
- Eye, Vision
- Fainting
- Fever
- First Aid, Emergency
- First Aid Kits
- Food Poisoning
- Foreign Bodies
- Fractures, Broken Bones
- Glaucoma
- Headache
- Health, Medical
- Heartburn, GERD, Reflux
- Heart, Blood Vessels
- Heart Attack
- Hepatitis
- Immune System
- Incontinence
- Infections
- Kidneys, Urinary System
- Lung, Airway
- Medications
- Men's Health
- Mental Health, Behavior
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Nosebleeds
- Osteoporosis
- Outdoor Living
- Overexposure
- Poisoning
- Procedures
- Psoriasis
- Public Health
- Scuba Diving, Swimming
- Seizures
- Senior Health
- Shock
- Skin, Hair, Nails
- Sleep Disorders
- Social, Family Health
- Sports Injury
- Sprains, Strains
- Statins
- STDs
- Substance Abuse
- Teen Health
- Teeth, Mouth, Oral Health
- Weight Management
- Wilderness Emergencies
- Women's Health
- Wounds
