Definition

1. Noun:
   • A severe, recurring type of headache, often characterized by intense throbbing or pulsing pain, typically on one side of the head. It is considered a neurological condition and can be accompanied by symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. It occurs more frequently in women than in men.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • She had to cancel her plans because she was suffering from a debilitating migraine.
  • Bright lights and loud noises can often trigger a migraine for him.
  • Her doctor prescribed new medication to help manage her chronic migraines.

Advanced Usage

• "To have a migraine": To be experiencing an episode of this specific type of headache.
  • I can't look at the screen right now; I think I'm getting a migraine.
• "Migraine sufferer": A person who experiences migraines regularly.
  • As a lifelong migraine sufferer, she has tried many different treatments.

Variants and Related Words

• Migrainous (adj): Relating to or characteristic of a migraine.
  • The patient described a migrainous aura preceding the headache.
• Migraineur (n): A person who suffers from migraines. (This is a less common, specialized term).
  • The support group is for migraineurs to share their experiences.

Synonyms

• Sick headache: An older, informal term for a severe headache, often implying nausea.
• Hemicrania: A medical term, literally meaning "half of the head," referring to the one-sided pain characteristic of many migraines.

Related Phrases

• Migraine with aura: A specific type of migraine where sensory disturbances (like seeing flashing lights or zigzag lines) occur before the headache pain begins.
  • She experiences migraine with aura, so she gets a visual warning before the pain starts.
• Migraine without aura: The more common type of migraine headache that occurs without the preceding sensory warning signs.
  • His migraines without aura come on suddenly and are very intense.

Related Idioms

(Note: There are no common idioms that use the exact word "migraine." It is typically used in a literal, medical context. However, it is sometimes used metaphorically to describe a very troublesome or painful situation.) - Metaphorical Use: Organizing the event was a complete migraine. (This implies the task was as difficult and unpleasant as suffering from the condition).

Noun

1. a severe recurring vascular headache; occurs more frequently in women than men