A migraine headache is an intense, throbbing, moderate to severe headache,
usually on one side of the head. It usually is around the eyes. It may last as
long as several hours to 4 days and can be accompanied by nausea and vomiting.
The frequency can be as often as several times per week or as infrequent as
once a year. A minority of migraine headache patients have an "aura" that
precedes the pounding headache. The aura is described as bright spots of
light, zig-zag lines and/or temporary visual loss. The sense of smell and
taste may be affected at this time as well. There may also be
numbness/tingling in the hands or face, speech difficulty, weakness in your
arm or leg and mental confusion. The aura may last a few minutes to 1/2 hr and
is then followed by the headache.
