Migraine is a neurological syndrome characterized by altered bodily perceptions, severe headaches, and nausea. Physiologically, the migraine headache is a neurological condition more common to women than to men. The word migraine was borrowed from Old French migraigne (originally as “megrim”, but respelled in 1777 on a contemporary French model). The French term derived from a vulgar pronunciation of the Late Latin word hemicrania, itself based on Greek hemikrania, from Greek roots for “half” and “skull”.

The typical migraine headache is unilateral (affecting one half of the head) and pulsating, lasting from 4 to 72 hours; symptoms include nausea, vomiting, photophobia (increased sensitivity to light), and phonophobia (increased sensitivity to sound). Approximately one-third of people who suffer from migraine headaches perceive unusual visual, olfactory, or other sensory experiences that are a sign that the migraine will soon occur.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Migraine

Shaheen E Lakhan, MS, MEd, PhD, MD

Migraine is the most common headache causing people to seek medical attention. Migraine is always more than just a headache. The headache can be on one or both sides of the head and more likely to have a throbbing quality or to be made worse by daily activity or things like bending over. Associated with the headache are symptoms like nausea and sensitivity to light, sound, and other sensory stimuli.

Tension type headache is the most common headache in the general population but rarely produces much disability for the sufferer and is generally easily treated with lifestyle adjustment of over the counter medications. It is uncommon to see a healthcare professional about tension headache.

http://brainblogger.com/2009/05/16/migraine-uncovered-interview-headache-expert/