- Recurrent (at least 5 episodes)
- Lasts 4 hours to 3 days
- Severe and unilateral
- Throbbing/pulsating quality
- Assoc w/ N, V, light & sound sensitivity
- Worse w/movement or activity
- Often seek quiet & dark places
- Sometimes aura (lasts < 60min) prior to onset of HA, w/visual most common (e.g. wavy lines, dark spots); can also have auditory, sensory, other auras
- Can be triggered by lack of sleep, certain foods, stress, alteration in caffeine intake, other