Migraines Health Center

The lifetime prevalence is 25% in women and 8% in men. Migraine also affects about 5% to 10% of children and adolescents. Some people who have migraine headaches experience an aura (temporary disturbance of the senses or muscles) in the minutes before the onset of pain. The aura may consist of seeing flashing lights, having numbness or tingling in the face or extremities, having a disturbed sense of smell, or having difficulty speaking. However, only about one-third of individuals who have migraine headaches experience auras. Migraines are painful but fortunately are not life-threatening.