Migraine is a neurological disorder characterized by severe headaches, nausea and change in bodily experiences. This is a condition which affects women three times more than men. A migraine headache is pulsating in nature and only affects one side of the head. It lasts from 4 to 72 hours. The symptoms related to migraine are nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light and sound. Around a quarter of people who suffer from migraine attacks experience aura symptoms wherein the sufferer gets a sense of strange lights and unpleasant smell.

Migraine is categorized in two main categories:

• Migraine with aura or classic migraine
• Migraine without aura or common migraine

Migraine attack is divided into four phases:

Prodrome phase: This is the first phase of a migraine attack and can begin a few hours or days before a full blast attack. Symptoms associated with this phase are excessive sleepiness, fever, mood changes, depression, fatigue and craving for specific foods.

Aura: This phase occurs right before the migraine attack and may last for 5 to 20 minutes. This is characterized by visual distortions such as seeing flashing lights or zigzag bright lines, needle like pricking sensations can be experienced in eth arms, hands, lips and tongue and increased sensitivity to sound and smell.

Pain: This phase is characterized by a full blown migraine attack marked by headache that ranges from moderate to severe intensity. The headache is felt on one side of the head but may branch out to other areas as well.

Postdrome phase: This is the final phase of the migraine attack in which the sufferer feels fatigued, irritable and may experience sudden mood swings.

Triggers of Migraine attack:

Smoking: This stands out as one of the major precipitating factors of migraine. Both active and passive smoking can cause a migraine.

High stress level: Stress and tension can cause fluctuations in the central nervous system can result in a migraine attack due to sudden rest taken after a strenuous period.

Irregular sleep pattern: Too much or too little sleep is also a risk factor for migraine. Thus, it is essential for individuals to follow a regular sleep cycle on a daily basis in order to prevent the occurrence of a migraine attack.

Diet: It is necessary for one to take a well balanced diet comprising of all the essential nutrients. Deficiency of magnesium and other nutrients can also trigger a migraine attack. Staying hungry, fasting or not taking meals on time is another risk factor for migraine. Migraine sufferers should also avoid certain foods that can trigger an attack such as chocolates, aged cheeses, tyramine foods, wines, alcohol, processed and fermented foods.

Lifestyle: Various lifestyle factors such as lack of exercise, work overload, tension and inability to relax can also trigger a migraine attack.