Migraine symptoms

A migraine attack can last anything from 4-72 hours.

Early warning signs include tiredness, changes in mood or cravings. About 1/3 of sufferers experience "aura". This typically affects vision, with symptoms such as flickering lights, zig-zag lines or blind spots. Sensations like tingling/numbness or "pins and needles" on one side of the body and speech disturbances can also occur. The aura happens before the headache and can last up to an hour.

Typical symptoms of migraine vary between sufferers but can include:

	Bad, throbbing headache - this occurs on only one side of the head and gets worse when the head is moved.
	Feeling sick (nausea) - nearly 70% of sufferers experience this symptom.
	Sensitivity to light (photophobia) - the most common symptom experienced by around 80% of sufferers.
	Sensitivity to sound (phonophobia) - around 70% of sufferers experience this symptom.

Around 60% of attacks send sufferers to bed for around 5 hours. Even once the symptoms have eased, it can take up to 2 days for a sufferer to feel completely back to normal again.