Migraines are headaches that are thought to be dilation of blood vessels in the brain.
The usual symptoms are intense, unilateral, throbbing or pulsating pain, with associated nausea or vomiting. There is often a familial tendency to migraine headaches. In some people, there may be triggering factors, such as artificial sweeteners and flavorings, smoked meat, red wine, chocolates, estrogen therapy and stress. These typically occur over a number of days or even weeks and then do not return for long stretches of time. Severe headaches that last more than 24 hours or are associated with fever, weakness in the limbs, confusion, loss of balance or impairment of vision or speech, may indicate more serious medical problems, such as an infection or a stroke.