What is a migraine headache?

A migraine is a severe, throbbing headache that is often accompanied by other unpleasant sensory symptoms. Patients may experience increased sensitivity to light or sound, nausea, vomiting, tingling in the extremities, or see flashes of light, according to Medical News Today.

Approximately 12 percent of Americans have experienced a migraine, Medical News Today reports. Some patients know their migraines are caused by certain triggers such as stress, flashing lights, hormonal changes or eating certain foods.

Although all patients do not know what causes their migraines, family history plays a major role. Up to 90 percent of migraine sufferers have a family history of migraines, according to Mayo Clinic.