# migraine | Symptoms, Causes, Tests and Treatment | OSANG > Migraine is a disease that causes repeated throbbing pain on one side of the head. It is accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and hypersensitivity to light and sound, and on… - Official page: https://osns.co.kr/en/encyclopedia/migraine - Organization: OSANG Neurosurgery ## Page content Headache ## migraine Migraine · G43 Migraine is a neurological disease that occurs repeatedly, with moderate to severe throbbing headaches, and is accompanied by nausea, vomiting, hypersensitivity to light and sound, and lasts for 4 to 72 hours once the attack begins. ## At a glance Migraine is a disease that causes repeated throbbing pain on one side of the head. It is accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and hypersensitivity to light and sound, and once the attack begins, it lasts for 4 to 72 hours. Approximately 12-15% of the world's population suffers from it, and it is three times more common in women than in men. The main cause is excessive activation of nerves around blood vessels in the membrane surrounding the brain, resulting in the secretion of pain substances. Stress, sleep changes, hormonal fluctuations, etc. act as triggering factors. The frequency and intensity of attacks can be reduced with acute medications, preventive medications, and neuromodulation treatments. - 01Definition and Overview - 02Epidemiology - 03cause - 04symptoms - 05diagnosis - 06Classification - 07trigger factor - 08Progress and Complications - 09life guide ## Definition and Overview Migraine is a disease characterized by recurrent, moderate to severe throbbing headaches. According to the International Headache Society classification criteria, a pulsating headache lasting 4 to 72 hours occurs on one side of the head. It is accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and hypersensitivity to light and sound. According to the 2019 Global Burden of Disease Study, approximately 1.1 billion people worldwide suffer from migraines. Among neurological diseases, it has the second highest degree of disability. The domestic prevalence is reported to be approximately 6-17%, and it is most common in women in their 30s and 40s. ## Epidemiology The annual prevalence of migraine worldwide is approximately 12-15%. It is about three times higher among women (17-18%) than among men (6-8%). These gender differences become evident after puberty, and fluctuations in the female hormone estrogen are suggested to be the main cause. Migraine has the highest prevalence among people aged 25 to 55 years. This period carries a significant social burden because it overlaps with the core age group for economic activity. The World Health Organization classified migraine as one of the most disabling diseases. The annual economic loss due to migraines in the United States is approximately $36 billion. ## cause The core cause of migraines is excessive activation of nerves around blood vessels in the membrane (dura) surrounding the brain. When this nerve is stimulated, a substance that causes pain is secreted. The representative one among them is calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). This substance dilates blood vessels and causes an inflammatory response in the surrounding area, causing headaches. Pain signals are transmitted to the brain's sensory centers and are felt as a headache. The brain of a migraine patient is usually sensitive to sensory stimulation. In some patients, visual symptoms (aura), such as flashing lights or zigzag patterns in the field of vision, appear before the onset of a headache. This is a phenomenon that occurs when changes in the electrical activity of brain nerve cells spread like waves. As migraines recur, the brain's pain processing circuitry becomes increasingly sensitive. As this condition worsens, you may feel pain even from stimuli that normally do not cause pain, such as washing your face or combing your hair. ## symptoms The main symptoms of migraine are: Throbbing, pulsating pain on one side (or sometimes both) of the head. Pain intensity is moderate to severe and is worsened by daily activities such as walking or climbing stairs. Nausea and vomiting are often accompanied by headaches. Sensitivity to bright lights or loud sounds increases, and some patients also become sensitive to smells. Before a headache attack, prodromal symptoms such as fatigue, irritability, changes in appetite, and stiff neck may appear a day or two before. ## diagnosis The diagnostic criteria for migraine according to the 3rd edition of the International Headache Society Classification are as follows: - Five or more headache attacks that meet the conditions below: - Headache lasting 4 to 72 hours (if untreated or treatment failed) - If your headache is 2 or more of the following: (1) One head; (2) throbbing, (3) moderate to severe intensity; (4) worsened by daily activities - Headaches accompanied by one or more of the following: (1) nausea or vomiting; (2) Hypersensitivity to light and sound - Not explained by another disorder Migraine is usually diagnosed through history taking and neurological examination. Brain imaging may be performed if necessary to rule out other causes. ## Classification Migraines are largely divided into two types. Migraines without aura account for approximately 70-75% of all cases. Migraine with aura occurs in approximately 25-30% of cases. Visual, sensory, and speech abnormalities appear for 5 to 60 minutes before or simultaneously with the headache. Chronic migraine is when headaches persist for more than 15 days a month for more than 3 months, and more than 8 of those days show migraine patterns. Approximately 2.5-3% of regular migraine patients develop chronic migraine each year, and overuse of painkillers is a major risk factor. ## trigger factor The main triggers of migraine attacks have been reported to be stress (about 70%), lack of or too much sleep (about 50%), menstrual cycle (about 60% of women), weather changes (about 40%), certain foods (about 25%), and strong lights, noises, and smells. Triggers vary from person to person. Keeping a headache diary to identify your own triggers is the first step in managing migraines. ## Progress and Complications In most cases, migraines are not life-threatening, but they significantly reduce quality of life. If left without proper treatment, the frequency of attacks may gradually increase and progress to chronic migraine. Taking painkillers repeatedly for more than 10 days a month can cause medication overuse headaches, which cause headaches to become more frequent. Migraine with aura accompanied by visual symptoms has rarely been reported to be associated with an increased risk of stroke, so accurate diagnosis and management are necessary. ## life guide Regular sleep is important. It is best to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day and not change your sleep pattern significantly even on weekends. Eat regular meals and avoid dehydration. Caffeine can help relieve headaches in small amounts, but excessive intake or sudden cessation can cause headaches. It is important to keep a headache diary to identify your triggers and avoid them. Regular aerobic exercise (3-5 times a week, 30 minutes or more) helps prevent migraines. ## Frequently asked questions ### Q01What is a migraine? Migraines are recurrent, moderate to severe, throbbing headaches. Unlike a simple headache, it is accompanied by nausea, vomiting, hypersensitivity to light or sound, and pain mainly appears on one side of the head. It is a neurological disease caused by a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental factors. With appropriate diagnosis and treatment, the quality of daily life can be greatly improved. ### Q02How do you differentiate between a migraine and a regular headache? Migraine causes throbbing pain on one side of the head, worsens with movement, and is accompanied by nausea or hypersensitivity to light and sound. A typical tension headache feels like both sides of the head are tight and has few accompanying symptoms. If your headaches recur or interfere with your daily life, we recommend that you consult a specialist for an accurate diagnosis. ### Q03Why do migraines occur? When the nerves around blood vessels in the membrane surrounding the brain become excessively activated, pain substances are secreted, which causes inflammation and vasodilation, causing headaches. In people with a genetic predisposition, stress, sleep changes, hormonal fluctuations, and certain foods can act as triggers. Identifying your triggers can be very helpful in reducing attacks. ### Q04If I have migraines, does it mean there is something wrong with my brain? This is something many people worry about, but migraines themselves do not mean structural damage to the brain. Migraines are a functional condition in which the brain overreacts to normal stimuli. However, in rare cases, migraine accompanied by visual symptoms may be associated with the risk of stroke, so getting an accurate diagnosis is the way to feel at ease. ### Q05Are migraines inherited? Yes, genetic factors play a big role. It is known that having a first-degree relative suffering from migraine increases the risk by two to four times. Since multiple genes are involved rather than a single gene, if you have a family history, it would be best to pay more attention to managing triggers. ### Q06Can migraines be treated? Although it is a difficult disease to cure, the frequency and intensity of attacks can be significantly reduced with appropriate treatment. There are a variety of options, including acute medications taken during attacks, preventive medications to reduce attacks in advance, and recently developed targeted treatments for pain substances. We recommend that you consult with a specialist to come up with a treatment strategy that best suits you. ### Q07What should I do when I have a migraine attack? It is essential to rest in a quiet, dark environment. If you are prescribed acute medication, the sooner you take it when the headache starts, the better it will be effective. However, if you take over-the-counter painkillers more than 10 days a month, your headaches may get worse, so be sure to follow the frequency of taking them. ## Related articles - giant cell arteritis - Hemicrania continua - Hypnic Headache - Idiopathic intracranial hypertension This article provides general medical information and does not replace an individual diagnosis or treatment plan. Please seek a medical assessment if symptoms persist. ## Important notice This Markdown alternative helps search and AI tools understand the public page accurately. It provides general health information and does not replace an individual diagnosis or treatment.