Mike is harbouring a few misconceptions about migraine. The first is around the visual problems some people experience, known as an aura. This is commonly associated with migraine, but actually only affects 10-30 per cent of sufferers, with the vast majority having migraine without aura. Mike is also assuming that all migraine sufferers get the same or very similar symptoms, but that isn’t the case at all: an intense headache is usually the cause of most discomfort, but even the nature of this varies, with some reporting it on just one side of the head, while others – including many young people – say they have pain on both sides of their head and sometimes into the face and neck. 

Similarly, nausea and vomiting are common, but not universal, with diarrhoea and sensitivity to light and sound experienced by some, while others may have abdominal pain, sweating and difficulty concentrating. Symptoms may be present for as little as one hour or for as long as three days, and it isn’t something that strikes all the time.