The three most common types of migraine ...

A throbbing headache that tends to affect just one side of the head...
Known as a migraine without aura, this often tends to occur around the time of a woman's period. It can be accompanied by other symptoms like nausea and vomiting and an increased sensitivity to light, sound or smell.

Seeing flashing lights or having blind spots, plus problems with co-ordination and articulation...
A migraine accompanied by neurological disturlances, usually visual ones that appear between 15 minutes and one hour before the headache, is known as a migraine with aura. This tends to affect over 60-year-olds and is more prevalent in men.

A migraine that occurs within two days either side of the first day of a monthly period...
Migraines in women can often be linked to hormonal changes. While most female migraine sufferers are more susceptible to an attack around the time of their period, a true hormonal migraine occurs only at these times. Usually prevalent in women aged 30 to 40, these migraines tend to last longer and are more severe and less responsive to treatment.

Triggers ... Migraines are believed to be caused by the release of serotonin into the bloodstream. Most sufferers know that certain factors can trigger any one of the migraines listed left. Some triggers, such as periods, the Pill or HRT are hormonal, others can include worry or depression, lack of sleep or overexertion, skipping meals or dehydration, alcohol, sinus problems or high blood pressure, certain foods, a change of climate or weather, bright lights and smoking.

How to treat ... Keeping a diary of what you've eaten and done can help you recognise your triggers. Medication is the next step. Many people need to take prescription drugs which includes stronger painkillers, combination anti-sickness and painkillers, plus the migraine-specific drug triptan. Preventative medicine may also be considered and beta-blockers, originally developed to treat patients with high blood pressure, have been effective - they work by preventing the blood vessels from dilating, which is what causes the pain. Anti-depressants and serotonin antagonists can also help as both are believed to help balance out serotonin.