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A migraine is a neurological syndrome which is associated with headaches. Migraines may be brought on by specific triggers in individual patients who suffer from the condition. A migraine attack normally lasts any length from several hours up to three days, with the headache being one-sided (the Greek word, hemicrania, actually means "half of the head"). Symptoms may vary depending upon the patient and migraine type.
Migraine classifications:
Symptoms:
Stages:
Causes:
The precise cause of the condition is unknown, but some factors are considered:
Triggers:
Some specific things and circumstances are considered to be triggers for a migraine attack:
Complications:
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of a migraine is made by a doctor or medical professional. Typically, migraines with aura require two incidents for a diagnosis, while for migraines without aura five cases are necessary.
Treatment
Treatment for migraine may involve avoiding triggers and controlling symptoms. Painkillers such as NSAIDs and paracetamol may reduce symptoms. Analgesics with caffeine may also be effective, and at times caffeine ingestion by itself may be beneficial. Several other options include analgesics with antiemetics, ergot alkaloids and serotonin agonists.
Prevention
Prevention of migraine includes both avoiding triggers and using preventative medications.
Herbal and nutritional prevention options also exist, including butterbur, cannabis, coenzyme Q10, feverfew, magnesium citrate, riboflavin, and vitamin B12.
See also:
Synonyms and other key terms:
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