Migraine

  • Migraine
    Migraine
    Migraine is a chronic type of headache that occurs in episodes and affects the day to day activities of an individual. It usually affects one side of the head. Between migraine episodes, the patient is absolutely free of pain. Migraine is the most common neurological condition in the developed world. 
Submitted by PatientsEngage on 19 November 2014
Migraine Overview

What is migraine

Migraine is a chronic type of headache that occurs in episodes and affects the day to day activities of an individual. It usually affects one side of the head. Between migraine episodes, the patient is absolutely free of pain. Migraine is the most common neurological condition in the developed world. A migraine attack can come with an aura, which means a sense of warning, or without an aura.  Migraines are three times more common in women than men. 

Migraine can affect anyone from children to the elderly. It progresses through four stages: Prodrome, aura, migraine attack, and postdrome. Individuals can experience any of the following stages:

-Prodrome – One or two days before migraine you might notice some symptoms such as body or neck stiffness, irritability, depression, frequent urination, nausea, food cravings, or difficulty in sleeping.

-Aura – It can be experienced before or during migraine.  Visual disturbances, temporary loss of sight, numbness or tingling are experienced. It can last up to 60 minutes.

-Migraine attack – Throbbing, drilling, burning pain, nausea, anxiety, insomnia, neck pain or nasal congestion can be experienced.  It can last up to 4 to 72 hours if untreated.

-Postdrome – Individuals may feel drained and confused for a day. Fatigue, difficulty in concentrating and mood swings can be experienced.   

                                         
                                                     

 

Read lived experiences of persons with Migraine here

 

 

Changed
30/Mar/2025
Community
Neurological Conditions
Condition
Migraine

Stories

  • A woman reading a book and holding her head in pain with text overlay on a blue strip Types of Headaches
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  • Profile Pic of a woman in a red shirt
    Keeping Guilt and Shame At Bay
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  • Managing Migraines Is About The Effort You Put In Every Day
    Rachna*, 39 from Mumbai shares her journey with migraine and how the fear of managing migraine attacks with a small new born baby led to post partum depression and her attempts to find solutions that work.  Symtoms and Diagnosis: I was diagnosed with Migraine 10 years ago, soon after my wedding. The first time, I remember being at home; it was mid morning. There was sudden onset of acidity and aching in my head. A few hours later, I was vomiting. I called my husband and that evening after…
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    How To Be Prepared for Chronic Migraine
    Aishwarya M,  a migraineur-teacher who teaches reading and writing to middle school girls at Pune, India shares her experience of being prepared for the uncertainty of chronic migraine.  Is it possible to have a debilitating disability such as chronic migraine and still be a together teacher? Short answer: Yes The long answer follows. In 2014, Maia Heyck-Merlin’s The Together Teacher: Plan Ahead, Get Organized, and Save Time! not only saved my time, it saved my life. I slowly stopped…
  • 5 New Year’s Resolutions to Bulldoze your Illness
    Thirty five year old Deepthi Sudhir Nair, a person with Myasthenia Gravis, rings in 2017 with five heartfelt pointers that can help transform lives and bring in greater happiness, positivity and self-respect in the New Year. Before I bury my reminiscences of 2016, I want to thank it for making me a chronically ill patient (through myasthenia gravis, urticaria, bronchial asthma, migraines and psychogenic nonepileptic seizures) and taking away my freedom. At the same time, teaching me what life…
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