For the longest time, whenever I heard that someone was having a migraine and was unable to do a certain task, my initial reaction was along the lines of…  “Well that sucks, but pop some Excedrin, drink a lot of water, and get back to it!” For individuals that have never had a migraine before — like myself — the condition may seem like merely an awful headache.  However in reality, the effects reach farther than mere head pain.  Symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, photophobia and phonophobia are often felt by those afflicted by this troublesome neurovascular disorder.  Because none of my family members are affected by migraines and the condition is typically genetically linked (to some degree), I have never, and hopefully never will understand what migraine headaches feel like.  However, after learning about what is physically going on in the brain during a migraine attack, I have a much greater respect for those afflicted.
The cause of migraines is still under dispute, and for many, the trigger is very different.  Some can be set off by light while others can be set off by sound, etc.  A host of different environmental factors can be attributed to causing migraines.  However, despite the trigger, the effects are triggered by similar systems and occurrences in the brain.
There are several different structures and systems within the brain have been identified as primary culprits in migraine symptoms.  One hypothesis suggests that migraines are triggered by abnormal levels of CGRP (calcitonin gene related peptide)  released into the bloodstream, triggering excessive vasodialation and stimulation of nearby sensory neurons, inducing pain.  However the cause of excessive CGRP release is still unknown.  The nerve that is most commonly affected is the trigeminal nerve, a cranial nerve with three branches (opthalmic, maxillary, and mandibular) supplying sensory information to parts of the face and head.  When CGRP floods the vessels in the head followed by vasodialation, the sensory components of the trigeminal nerve become overactive, causing extreme pain.
Recent drugs such as triptans and gepants have been used to treat migraines, however both have their ups and downs.  Triptans work by by causing vasoconstriction and reducing CGRP (causes of the condition) however considerable side effects have been observed such as dizziness, nausea, fatigue, chest symptoms and paresthesia, deterring many from taking the medication.  Gepants work by blocking the CGRP receptor.  Although they are effective for those who experience side effects of triptans, they can be expensive.
For those who like myself have never experienced a migraine before and see it as just a bad headache, STOP! The condition is very debilitating for those afflicted.  Without sufficient knowledge about the condition and what can be done to treat it, additional research must be done to give those with migraines much needed relief.