The World Health Organisation rates migraine as the most common, debilitating, long-term neurological condition1. Globally, migraines affect more than 10% of people, primarily those between the ages of 20 and 50. Migraines are also three times more common in women than men. About one-third of migraineurs are able to anticipate when an episode is about to begin as it is preceded by an ‘aura’ or visual abnormalities like flashing lights, zigzag lines, or a temporary loss of vision2.

A severe pulsing or throbbing pain in one area of the head is a common way to describe the discomfort of a migraine headache. The International Headache Society defines a migraine as pain with at least five attacks, lasting four to 72 hours if left untreated, as well as other symptoms including nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to light and sound3. Depending on the number of days a month a person has headaches, a migraine can be classified as either episodic (EM) or chronic (CM). When a migraine sufferer has fewer than 15 headache days per month, they are said to have episodic migraine, according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-2) criteria. 15 or more . . .