What causes migraines and how are they different from headaches?

A migraine is usually a moderate or severe headache felt as a throbbing pain on one side of the head. Many people also have symptoms such as feeling sick, being sick, and increased sensitivity to light or sound. Migraine is a common health condition, affecting around 1 in every 5 women and around 1 in every 15 men. Some people have migraines several times a week, while others only have them occasionally.

The nausea and light sensitivity are classic migraine indicators. Regular headaches do not usually cause those. I track mine with a migraine diary app — I found that mine are triggered by dehydration, skipping meals, and hormonal changes. Keeping a diary helped my GP prescribe sumatriptan as a rescue medication, which stops my migraines within 30 minutes.

This is an important memory & neurology question. We recommend speaking with your GP for personalised advice. You can also contact NHS 111 (free, 24/7) for urgent guidance, or visit nhs.uk for trusted health information. Please note: this is general health information, not a substitute for professional medical advice.