Migraine
What Is Migraine? Understanding the Basics
4 min read
- Medically reviewed by
- Dr. Nitin Sharma, BHMS
- Last reviewed
Written for patient awareness and reviewed for medical accuracy. See our editorial and review policy.
Migraine is more than "a bad headache." Here's what distinguishes it, and why understanding your pattern matters before seeking treatment.
A recurring, patterned headache disorder
Migraine is a neurological condition characterised by recurring headache episodes, often — though not always — on one side of the head, and frequently described as throbbing or pulsating.
What sets migraine apart from an occasional tension headache is the pattern: recurring episodes, accompanying symptoms like nausea or light sensitivity, and a tendency to disrupt daily activity.
Why patterns matter more than a single episode
A single bad headache rarely tells the full story. What matters clinically is the pattern over time — frequency, duration, triggers and how episodes evolve. This is why a doctor will usually ask about your headache history in detail rather than focusing only on today's symptom.
Keeping a simple headache diary — noting date, duration, possible triggers and severity — can be genuinely useful information to bring to a consultation.
Common questions
No. While both involve head pain, migraine typically involves a distinct pattern of recurring episodes with associated symptoms such as nausea or light sensitivity, which ordinary tension headaches usually do not share.