Is it a Migraine? Headaches are one of the most common afflictions, affecting almost 90% of the general population at one time or another. The vast majority of headaches are benign, and only serve to irritate one. Migraines affect 15% of the general population, with the majority of migraine sufferers being female. Unfortunately, people not suffering from migraine tend to disbelieve the severe pain and debilitating effects of a migraine. This makes it all the more important to take a medication that will quickly and effectively treat the migraine attack, and return the sufferer to normal functioning. If you feel that your headaches are starting to rule your life, go through the questionnaire. Select the answer under each heading that fits your headache experience most accurately, and by adding up the points scored in each section, you will be able to diagnose yourself. You now have the tools to enable you to ask your doctor to correctly treat the specific headache type into which you fall. A. Do you suffer from headaches? I never get headaches   It seems as though I have a headache every day   I sometimes get a headache, never more than 2 or 3 times a month   B. Do these headaches interfere with your ability to perform your daily tasks? Headaches never interfere with my life   These headaches bother me, but I can grin and bear it , and continue through the day.   My headaches are so bad that I have to stop what I'm doing to go and lie down in a quiet room.   C. Where does your head hurt? I cannot pinpoint exactly where it is painful   My whole head feels as though it is gripped in a vice   Only one side of my head is hurting   D. How would you best describe your headache? Dull, constant pain   Severe throbbing pain that feels as though your heart is pounding inside your head   E. Do any of the following symptoms coincide with your headache? Neck pain   Normally, I only have the headache on its own   Nausea or vomiting   Sensitivity to light or noise   F. Do you ever experience any warning signs before you get a headache? No, my headache builds up gradually   If I get nightmares, they are usually followed by headaches the next day   Never, it just hits me out of the blue   I sometimes see flashing lights, dark spots or wavy lines before my eyes and then I know the pain will arrive soon   G. Have you ever thought your headache was brought on by one of the following? Change of seasons   Any form of stressful event   Chocolates, coffee or red wine (not a hangover)   None of the above   H. How long does your headache last? It lasts less than 4 hours   I never have a headache-free day   It lasts more than 4 hours, but usually less than 2 days   I. Have you ever noticed a relationship between your menstrual cycle and your headache? No   Sometimes my headaches coincide with my menstrual period, but I don't consider it a pattern, since I often have headaches outside my menstrual period   My headaches always occur 3 days before, or during my menstrual period   J. My headache is related to my emotional status I only get headaches when I am depressed   I get depressed more due to the fact that I constantly have headaches   My PMS mood swings trigger the headache   K. Have you ever been diagnosed as suffering from migraine? No   I am unsure   Yes