Migraine headaches can cause severe throbbing pain or a pulsing sensation, usually on just one side of the head. They can be caused by changes in the brainstem and its interactions with the trigeminal nerve, a major pain pathway. It’s often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. Migraine attacks can cause significant pain for hours to days and can be so severe that the pain is disabling.
