Migraine Headache FAQs
- What are migraine headaches?
- How dangerous are migraine headaches?
- What causes migraine headaches?
- What are the symptoms of migraine headaches?
- Who gets migraine headaches?
- Should a person with migraine headaches see a doctor?
- What tests are done for people with migraine headaches?
- How are migraine headaches treated?
- What can be done to prevent migraine headaches?
- Will migraine headaches eventually go away on their own?
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What are migraine headaches?
Migraines are disabling headaches that most likely stem from problems with the nerves and blood vessels in the head. Migraine headaches typically last from 4-72 hours. They may occur as often as several times a week to only once a year. People who have migraines are called migraineurs.
Migraine headaches affect about 15% of the population. Three times as many women as men have migraines. Over 80% of migraineurs have family members who have migraines. The following types of migraine headache have been identified:
- Migraine without aura (common migraine): This type accounts for 80% of migraine headaches. There is no aura before a common migraine.
- Migraine with aura (classic migraine): This type is usually preceded by an aura and is usually much worse than a common migraine. Most often, an aura is a visual disturbance (outlines of lights or jagged light images).
- Status migrainosus: This is the term used to describe a long-lasting migraine that does not go away by itself.
Next: How dangerous are migraine headaches? »
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Although migraine is a term applied to certain headaches with a vascular quality, overwhelming evidence suggests that migraine is a dominantly inherited disorder characterized by varying degrees of recurrent vascular-quality headache, photophobia, sleep disruption, and depression. border=
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