Featuring Dr. Egidius Stockenstrom Video: 1 minute, 44 seconds

A migraine is typically a one-sided throbbing headache of moderate to severe intensity.

It's usually of gradual onset, and is aggravated by physical activity. A migraine is commonly associated with vision disturbances, as well as perspiration, as well as nasal congestion.

A migraine is usually preceded by a prodrome, or a warning sign that you're going to get a headache. These prodromes or warning signs can consist of altered mood, craving for certain food, as well as many other abnormalities that you might experience.

You might also experience an aura, this is in a smaller percentage of migraine sufferers, where they have a warning sign immediately preceding a migraine. These warning signs can take on the form of abnormalitites in hearing, vision, as well as sense of smell and some other sensory abnormalities.

Immediate treatment for a migraine consists of avoiding the triggers that triggered it in the first place. Isolation yourself in a dark room and symptomatic relief of the pain and nausea with either acetaminophen, ibuprofen or Gravol. After that, consult your health care provider to determine which is the appropriate course of action for your migraine.

Presenter: Dr. Egidius Stockenstrom, Family Doctor, Vancouver, BC

Local Practitioners: Family Doctor