ABSTRACT
Far too many headaches are categorized as migraines. True migraine is frequent and affects women more than men. It occurs by paroxysmal attacks that last a few hours and is usually preceded by signs that are well known to the patient. Symptoms include unilateral pain, photophobia, pallor, nausea, and vomiting. Most often, it goes from right to left or vice versa from one attack to the other (80% of cases). The first attack often occurs before the age of 10. A familial or genetic pattern is usual. Although a vascular origin has been proposed, the etiology of migraine has not yet been clearly delineated. It can present in various clinical forms such as ophthalmic migraine, mixed migraine, and migrainous equivalents.
