There are many myths about migraines, the most widespread being that it's on par with the common headache.
There are a range of symptoms associated with migraines - and a pounding headache is but one. Just ask the millions of sufferers.
According to Hong Kong neurologist Dr Bell Tse Sing-sang, migraine is a genetically based disease. As many as nine out of 10 sufferers have family histories of the illness. Migraine is more common among women, and the initial onset usually occurs in the teens. A first attack after 40 should be viewed with suspicion.
Migraines differ from normal headaches in their severity and frequency, as well as the sufferer's heightened sensitivity to light, noise and odours.
'There's a tendency for people to be under-diagnosed rather than over-diagnosed,' says Dr Robert Ho Ting-kwok, a neurologist at the Canossa Hospital brain centre. 'Many general physicians aren't up to date with the types of diagnostic procedures for migraines. It's common for them to tell patients that they're suffering from stress or depression, and prescribe tranquillisers or other medication that's not effective.'
There are two common types of migraine: the so-called classic and the common. 'The classic migraine afflicts about 20 per cent of sufferers and is preceded or accompanied by a transient aura,' says Ho (whereby sufferers see a bright haze around objects). The common migraine afflicts about 75 per cent of sufferers, and isn't associated with an aura.
There are a range of treatments. If the symptoms aren't severe or frequent, Ho says a common approach under western medicine entails oral analgesics such as Panadol or paracetamol to control the headaches, combined with an antiemetic to stop the nausea and prevent vomiting.