A migraine headache can cause intense throbbing in one area of the head and is commonly accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. Migraines can cause significant pain for hours to days. Some are preceded or accompanied by sensory warning symptoms (aura), such as flashes of light, blind spots, or tingling in your arm or leg.
Medications can help reduce the frequency and severity of migraines. The right medicines, combined with self-help remedies and lifestyle changes recommended by your doctor, may make a big difference. See your doctor immediately or go to the emergency room if you have any of the following symptoms, which may indicate other, more serious medical problems:
■ An abrupt, severe headache like a thunderclap
■ Headache with fever, stiff neck, mental confusion, seizures, double vision, weakness, numbness or trouble speaking
■ Headache after a head injury, especially if the headache gets worse
■ A chronic headache that is worse after coughing, exertion, straining or a sudden movement
■ New headache pain if you’re older than 50
— Source: Mayo Clinic