The Greeks called it hemicrania, which means half of skull, which is what a migraine is: a headache concentrated on just one side of the head. And it isn’t just pain that most people feel, they also experience a host of other symptoms, such as nausea, tiredness, and a sudden sensitivity to noise, light, and even particular scents.

With a 3:1 ratio, women get more migraines than men. Studies also show that migraines are hereditary. So if you suffer from a lot of migraines, then chances are someone in your family had them too. What makes a migraines different from a normal headache is the intensity: they last longer, and hurt a lot more. In fact, the pain can be so dibilitating that most people have to lie down and rest, hoping for this latest spell to be over.

Although migraines often present themselves without much warning, there are little signs that you can look out for before it comes. Such things can be sudden lethargy, mood swings, difficulty remembering, excessive yawning, and suddenly being picky with your food, somehow disliking them for no apparant reason.

In other extreme cases, some people even report hallucinating during a particularly nasty migraine, and momentarily losing their capacity to speak.

Once the migraine has passed, a lot of people experience a sudden sense of relief, or report feeling incredibly drained from the experience, and take a few days of just to recover.

Foods can also trigger a migraine attack, so those prone to them should avoid the following: MSG, vinegar, certain meat products such as hotdogs and corn beef, along with selected dairy products. Also, fruits such as avocados, banana or beans may increase the chances of triggering a migraine. Still, you should consult with your doctor to find out the specific cause for your migraine headaches.