Migraine, Common and Classical:
Information for adults

Migraine is a collection of symptoms that usually includes headache as the prominent complaint. Sometimes called "sick headache," "weekend headache," and other names, it is very common and most people know someone who has suffered from migraines or has migraines themselves. The headache is usually severe, on one side of the head, and, in about 1 out of 5 people, it is accompanied by other symptoms. Migraine headaches are typically divided into those with or without a warning (aura). 

Interestingly, migraine symptoms can occur without a headache. In many instances, it affects many members of the same family. In fact, the inheritance of migraine is an area of exciting research as its cause.

Migraine is what is called a diagnosis of exclusion. In other words, everything else has to be ruled out prior to the diagnosis of migraine.

Immediately seek medical attention if you or someone you are caring for experiences any of the following:

• Stiff neck and a high fever associated with headache
• Sudden onset of a severe headache
• Loss of motor function, the ability to think clearly, or convulsions associated with headache
• Head injury
• Increased intensity and/or frequency of headaches