Symptoms of a migraine

The main symptom of a migraine is usually an intense headache on one side of the head.

The pain is usually a moderate or severe throbbing sensation that gets worse when you move and prevents you from carrying out normal activities.

In some cases, the pain can occur on both sides of your head and may affect your face or neck.

Additional symptoms

Other symptoms commonly associated with migraine include:

-nausea
-vomiting
-increased sensitivity to light and sound – which is why many people with migraine want to rest in a quiet, dark room

Some people also occasionally experience other symptoms, including:

-sweating
-poor concentration,
-feeling very hot or very cold
-abdominal (tummy) pain
-diarrhoea

Not everyone with a migraine experience these additional symptoms and some people may experience them without having a headache.

The symptoms of a migraine usually last between four hours and three days, although you may feel very tired for up to a week afterward.

Symptoms of aura

About one in three people with migraines have temporary warning symptoms, known as aura, before a migraine. These include:

-visual problems – such as seeing flashing lights, zig-zag patterns or blind spots
-numbness or a tingling sensation like pins and needles – which usually starts in one hand and moves up your arm before affecting your face, lips and tongue
-feeling dizzy or off-balance
-difficulty speaking
-loss of consciousness – although this is unusual

Aura symptoms typically develop over about five minutes and last for up to an hour. Some people may experience aura followed by only a mild headache or no headache at all.