What is migraine?
Migraine is more than a bad headache. It's a neurological disease marked by recurring attacks of headache plus other symptoms, involving the brain's trigeminovascular system and signaling molecules like CGRP. It ranks among the world's leading causes of disability and is more common in women (GBD 2016 Headache Collaborators, 2018).
This article is general health information and is not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment. If symptoms persist, see a doctor.
How do you know it's a migraine?
The International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-3, 2018) defines migraine without aura as at least five attacks that:
- Last 4–72 hours untreated
- Have at least two of: one-sided location, pulsating quality, moderate or severe intensity, worsening with routine activity like climbing stairs
- Come with at least one of: nausea or vomiting, or sensitivity to light and sound
About a third of people get an aura before the headache, such as flashing lights or zigzag lines.
| Migraine | Tension-type headache | |
|---|---|---|
| Pain | Throbbing | Pressing or tight band |
| Location | Often one side | Both sides |
| With activity | Gets worse | Usually no change |
| Other symptoms | Nausea, light and sound sensitivity | Usually none |
Triggers and treatment
Common triggers include too little or too much sleep, skipped meals, stress, menstruation and alcohol. Steady sleep ties into your circadian rhythm. For attacks, taking an NSAID or a triptan early is the standard approach, and frequent attacks call for preventive treatment. The American Headache Society lists CGRP-targeting drugs (monoclonal antibodies and gepants) alongside older options (Ailani et al., 2021). Taking painkillers too many days a month can cause medication-overuse headache.
FAQ
- Do I need to see a doctor for migraines?
- If they disrupt your life or you take painkillers often, a doctor can help find the right acute and preventive treatment. A sudden "worst headache of your life," fever with a stiff neck or weakness needs emergency care.
- Can migraine cause dizziness?
- Yes—vestibular migraine includes vertigo. Brief spinning only when you change position is more like BPPV.
Sources reviewed: 2026-10-25
References
- Headache Classification Committee of the International Headache Society. (2018). The International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition. Cephalalgia, 38(1), 1–211.
- GBD 2016 Headache Collaborators. (2018). Global, regional, and national burden of migraine and tension-type headache, 1990–2016. The Lancet Neurology, 17(11), 954–976.
- Ailani, J., Burch, R. C., Robbins, M. S., & Board of Directors of the American Headache Society. (2021). The American Headache Society consensus statement: Update on integrating new migraine treatments into clinical practice. Headache, 61(7), 1021–1039.