While headaches are the main physical manifestation of migraines, there is much more to them than that. Migraines are considered neurological diseases and can produce many other intense symptoms such as light sensitivity, nausea, and dizziness.
A thorough physical exam and medical history are the key components to diagnosing a migraine. An imaging test such as an MRI or CT scan is highly unlikely to reveal the cause behind migraines. These types of tests are typically reserved for atypical pain or neurologic symptoms which may be indicative of a more severe condition such as a brain tumor.
Auras have somehow become synonymous with migraines to the point that many believe one is impossible without the other. These sensory or visual disturbances have been known to manifest shortly before a migraine begins. However, they are the exception rather than the norm. In fact, only about 30 percent of migraine sufferers get auras, and even among this population, they do not occur every time.
Migraines are most popularly associated with adults, specifically adult women. While women are more likely than men to suffer from migraines, men can certainly experience them too. As for age, the majority of migraine sufferers have their first migraine experience in adolescence. In fact, children as young as five may have them.
If you are always living in fear of your next debilitating migraine, it