A

Abdominal Migraine
Commonly found in children it is an attack of abdominal pain preceded by migraine aura, nausea, vomiting.

Acupuncture or Acupressure
A system of complementary medicine in which fine needles are inserted in the skin at specific points.

Amitriptyline
An antidepressant medication used in treating migraine.

Analgesics
It is a medication used to relieve pain.

Aneurysm
It is the excessive localized swelling of the wall of an artery.

Antidepressant
A drug used to alleviate depression

Antihistamines
Medication recommended in treating allergies, reducing inflammation and swelling.

Aura
A symptom of classic migraine headache in which the patient experiences sensitivity to light, vision and odor.



B


Basiliar Migraine
A migraine headache that mainly affects children and adolescents. Its symptoms include headaches at the back of the head, numbness and nausea.

Beta Blockers
Drugs used to treat heart disease and high blood pressure. They should be avoided by patients suffering from asthma and diabetes.

Biofeedback
A form of treatment used to teach patients how to control their body functions consciously with the help of electronic monitoring devices.

C


Classic Migraine
The previous term of migraine with aura

Cluster Headaches
An intense headache that occurs in groups and begins as a minor pain around one eye and gradually attacks that particular side of the face.

Common Migraine
Commonly known as Migraine without aura.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: A therapy that helps patients replaces their negative thoughts with positive ones.




E

Electroencephalogram (EEG)
It is a test used to measure the electrical activity of the brain.

Ergotamine
A highly effective drug used to cure migraine.



F

Feverfew
An herb used to reduce the frequency of migraine attacks.


H

Hemiplegic Migraine
A type of migraine that causes temporary paralysis on one side of the body.



M

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
an imaging technique where the magnetic fields are used to provide pictures of body tissues and organs.

Menstrual Migraine
Migraine attacks in women related to menstrual cycles.

Migraine
A recurrent throbbing headache that affects one side of the head accompanied by nausea and disturbed vision.




N

Neurology
Branch of medicine and biology concerned with the nervous system




O

Opthalmoplegic Migraine
A one-sided headache that grows around the nerves leading to the eyes.



P

Phonophobia
Abnormal sensitivity to sound.

Photophobia
Abnormal sensitivity to light.

Prodrome
The initial phase of migraine when a person experiences dizziness, depression, diarrhea, fever and irritability.


S

Serotonin
A neurotransmitter that reduces blood supply to the brain and increases the intensity of pain.

Sinusitis
An infection or swelling of the sinus.

Spinal tap
A rare test which is performed mainly to determine and spot the intensity of white blood cells, protein and glucose in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).


Stress
A state of mental, emotional and other strains.

Sumatriptan
An antimigraine medicine.



T

Trigger
Any factor that leads to the rise or progress of migraine headache is called a migraine trigger.



V
Veramapil
A calcium channel blocker medication used to cure migraine.