Migraine headaches result from a combination of blood vessel enlargement and the release of chemicals from nerve fibers that coil around the large arteries of the brain. A migraine headache can cause intense throbbing or a pulsing sensation in one area of the head and is commonly accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound.
Migraine attacks can cause significant pain for hours to days and be so severe that all you can think about is finding a dark, quiet place to lie down.