Inflammation around the blood vessels occurs in some cases. Migraine headaches affect about 6 out of 100 people. They are a common type of chronic headache. Migraines most commonly occur in women and usually begin between the ages of 10 and 46. They appear to run in families in some cases.
Classical migraine accounts for about one-sixth of all migraines.
Migraine headache may be diagnosed by the health care provider based on the pattern of symptoms, history of migraines in the family, and the response to treatment. A physical examination shows no detectable abnormalities. There is no cure for classical migraine. The treatment goals may include control of symptoms and prevention of further attacks. Resting in a quiet, darkened room often reduces the severity of symptoms.