The main symptom of a migraine is a throbbing, pounding or pulsating headache. The pain, which may be dull or severe, is typically worse on the sides of the forehead. It starts on one side of the head and typically remains contained there. However, it may spread to the other side. For many migraine sufferers, the headaches start on the same side each time.

Exertion often intensifies the pain. In addition, many patients experience pain behind the eye or in the back of the head or neck.

Migraines may be accompanied by a number of other symptoms including:

• Nausea or vomiting
• Sensitivity to light or sound
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue
• Allodynia
• Numbness, weakness or tingling
• Dizziness or vertigo (feeling that the room is spinning)
• Chills
• Increased urination
• Increased sweating
• Swelling of the face
• Irritability

Some people who experience migraines have warning symptoms before the headache appears. Known as aura, these temporary visual disturbances are caused by transient changes in the activity of certain nerve cells. The changes may occur in one eye or in both. Aura most often occurs 20 minutes to one hour before a migraine. However, it can develop anywhere from a few minutes to 24 hours before the headache appears. Warning symptoms may include:

• Visual hallucinations (e.g., flashing lights, zigzag lines, dots)
• Blind spots
• Tunnel vision
• Sensitivity to bright light
• Blurred vision
• Eye pain

Most people, however, do not experience aura. According to the National Headache Foundation (NHF), only around one–fifth of migraine suffers experience aura. Some people also experience difficulty speaking, or a tingling sensation in their arm, leg or face.

Regardless of whether or not a patient has aura, there are a number of symptoms that may appear several hours to a day before a migraine occurs. Known as prodrome symptoms, these include:

• Feelings of elation or extreme energy
• Cravings for sweets
• Increased thirst
• Drowsiness
• Irritability
• Depression

In children, a migraine may be preceded by:

• Yawning
• Sleepiness or listlessness
• Cravings for certain foods (e.g., chocolate, hot dogs, sweets, yogurt, bananas)

There are also a number of symptoms that may remain after a migraine has disappeared. These include:

• Mental dullness (unclear or slowed thinking)
• Fatigue
• Increased need for sleep
• Neck pain