A migraine headache is a recurrent, throbbing headache generally felt on one side of the head.
Migraines usually begin in early childhood, adolescence, or young adult life.
Migraines are caused by a rapid widening and narrowing of blood vessel walls in the brain and head. This causes the pain fibers in the blood vessel wall to become irritated. Blood vessels in the scalp are often involved. It is not known why some individuals have migraines and others do not. There are many forms of migraine headaches.