Everyone Healthy Library
Migraine
Sign or symptom reference page from the Everyone Healthy database.
! Seek urgent medical care if warning signs appear
A symptom can have many possible causes. Some symptoms need urgent assessment, especially when they are severe, sudden or rapidly worsening.
Get urgent medical care now if there is any severe, sudden, rapidly worsening or worrying symptom, especially:
- chest pain, pressure or pain spreading to the arm, jaw or back
- trouble breathing, blue lips, severe wheeze or choking
- stroke-like symptoms such as face drooping, arm weakness or speech trouble
- collapse, fainting, seizure, confusion or extreme drowsiness
- severe bleeding, black stools, vomiting blood or major injury
- severe allergic reaction, swelling of the face/throat or widespread rash with breathing trouble
- severe abdominal pain, severe headache, stiff neck or sudden vision change
- signs of severe dehydration, sepsis, high fever with worsening illness, or symptoms in a baby/young child that concern you
Full information
Migraine
A migraine is a type of severe headache that can cause intense throbbing or pulsing in one area of the head. Migraines are commonly accompanied by nausea, vomiting and increased sensitivity to light and sound. A migraine attack can last for hours to days. Some migraines are preceeded by sensory warning symptoms, also known as auras. Auras may appear as flashes of light, blind spots, black lines in your field of vision, or tingling in the arm or leg. Women are three times more likely to experience migraines than men. Common migraine triggers include stress, changes in sleep patterns, dehydration, and strenuous exercise.