What is migraine?
Understand common symptoms, phases, disease impact, and the distinction between episodic and chronic patterns.
Learn the fundamentalsAbout migraine
More than a headache.
Migraine is a complex neurological disease that can affect pain, vision, sensation, digestion, energy, and thinking. Learn how symptoms can vary, what may influence attacks, and how informed care begins.
Symptoms and care needs vary. General information should support—not replace—individual clinical advice.
Understanding the disease
Migraine can affect the whole person
Migraine may involve moderate or severe head pain, nausea, sensitivity to light or sound, visual or sensory changes, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. Some people experience warning symptoms or aura, while others do not. Attacks and their effects can differ substantially from one person to another.
Because symptoms overlap with other conditions, diagnosis depends on an appropriate clinical assessment. Keeping a clear record of symptoms, timing, possible patterns, medicines, and daily impact may help a clinician understand what is happening.
Review migraine facts or use the migraine glossary to clarify common terms.
Explore the essentials
A clearer route through migraine information
Start with the topic that best fits your question. Each guide provides context and practical points to discuss with a qualified clinician.
Possible triggers
Learn why sleep, stress, meals, sensory exposure, hormones, and other factors may influence some people differently.
Explore potential triggersTreatment approaches
Review broad approaches to acute care and prevention, including non-drug options and supportive routines.
Review treatment informationChronic migraine
Read about frequent headache patterns, their potential impact, and why professional evaluation matters.
Understand chronic migraineMigraine in women
Explore how hormonal changes may be associated with migraine patterns at different stages of life.
Read about migraine in womenChildren and teens
Learn how migraine can present in younger people and why age-appropriate recognition and care are important.
Explore youth migraine guidance
Preparing for care
Notice patterns without blaming yourself
Factors associated with attacks are not always predictable or avoidable. A diary may reveal useful patterns, but overly restrictive routines can create additional stress and may not prevent migraine.
- Record symptoms, timing, duration, and recovery
- Note medicines used and the response to them
- Track sleep, meals, hydration, and relevant changes
- Bring focused questions to clinical appointments
Life stages and care needs
Information for different experiences
Migraine presentation and care considerations can change with age, development, hormones, health history, and daily responsibilities.
Hormonal influences
Learn how menstrual cycles and other hormonal changes may be associated with migraine in some people.
Explore hormonal impactRecognizing migraine in youth
Symptoms in children and teens may look different from familiar adult patterns.
Review recognition and diagnosisTreatment for younger people
Care should consider age, development, health history, school life, and family support.
Read about youth treatmentHow to use this section
From symptoms to informed questions
A simple process can help you organize information while keeping diagnosis and treatment decisions with qualified professionals.
Learn the terms
Review core symptoms, phases, migraine types, and frequently used clinical language.
Record the pattern
Note timing, associated symptoms, medicines, possible influences, and daily impact.
Prepare questions
Identify what is new, changing, unclear, or most disruptive before an appointment.
Review the plan
Discuss benefits, risks, practical limits, and follow-up needs with your clinician.
Frequently asked questions
Migraine basics
Brief answers to common questions, with links to more detailed information.
Is migraine just a severe headache?
No. Migraine is a neurological disease that can include head pain as well as nausea, sensory sensitivity, visual or sensory changes, fatigue, and cognitive symptoms. Some attacks may occur without prominent head pain.
Does everyone experience migraine in the same way?
No. Symptoms, frequency, intensity, duration, associated features, and treatment response can vary. Patterns may also change over time.
What is migraine aura?
Aura refers to temporary neurological symptoms that can occur before or during an attack, often involving vision or sensation. New or unusual neurological symptoms require appropriate medical assessment.
Are migraine triggers the cause of the disease?
Not necessarily. A trigger is a factor associated with an attack in a particular person; it does not explain the underlying disease. Some apparent triggers may also be early features of an attack.
What kinds of treatment are available?
Care may include treatments used during attacks, preventive approaches, non-drug strategies, and management of related health concerns. A clinician can help assess suitability and risks.
How can I find a headache specialist?
Start with the headache specialist information and verify credentials, availability, coverage, and referral requirements directly with the relevant practice.
Where can I learn about non-drug approaches?
Visit the guide to non-drug treatments. Evidence and suitability vary, so review options with a qualified clinician.
Questions about these resources?
Contact Migraine Research Fund for general website and educational enquiries.