Migraine Conceptual artwork of a statue clutching its forehead representing the pain of a migraine A migraine is a recurrent headache which can be accompanied by nausea vomiting and sensitivity to light and sound These symptoms are caused by changes in brain activity which produce inflamed blood vessels red and nerves around the brain The exact cause is unknown but triggers that provoke an attack include certain foods stress and anxiety and too much or too little sleep In women there may be a link between the hormones produced during the menstrual cycle and migraine attacks Migraines cannot be cured but treatments can effectively manage the symptoms