There are two types of migraine headache, classic and common. The dilation or contraction of blood vessels in the brain causes migraines. Both types of migraines present themselves in the same way, causing severe throbbing pain that may be centered at the temple, behind the ear or at the back of the neck. Sometimes the headache is accompanied by vomiting, blurred vision and tingling in the limbs. The only difference is that before the classic migraine begins the sufferer may have symptoms of an aura.
Auras consist of speech disorders, weakness, flashes and sparks in the visual field.
Common migraines do not start with an aura. Migraines are fairly common, affecting about 10 percent of the population, mostly women. They appear to occur more often in people between twenty and thirty-five and may decline with age. Many factors may trigger the onset of a migraine including allergies, low blood sugar, strep, hormonal changes, liver malfunction and lack of exercise. Certain supplements can help treat and prevent migraine headaches by relieving stress and acting as antioxidants.