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Migraine Headaches

Video animation showing what causes a migraine and what happens to the blood vessels inside the brain when a migraine occurs.

Video transcript

Not all painful headaches are migraines. Migraine symptoms include: throbbing on one side of the head; feeling sick to your stomach or vomiting; and numbness or tingling of your face, hands, or arms. Some people see an aura: spots, wavy lines, or flashes of light shortly before the pain begins. Migraines typically last between 4 and 72 hours.

Migraines run in families, but their exact cause is unknown. Blood vessels in the brain may get wider or narrower, causing swelling and pain. Migraines are a serious condition, and your doctor should be consulted for treatment.

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