A glimmer of pain behind the eyes. A hint of nausea. Light sensitivity. Cringing at a car horn. These signals can indicate the start of a cephalalgia, or headache, of which there are three distinct classifications: migraine, cluster and tension. Those who suffer agree – migraines are among the most debilitating.

Migraines usually affect one side of the head and are accompanied by other symptoms, like nausea, vomiting, vision issues, sensitivity to light, sound, smell and touch, dizziness and tingling or numbness on the face.

According to the Migraine Research Foundation, more than 10 percent of Americans suffer from migraines. In other words, a migraine sufferer lives in one out of every four households. Thirteen million Americans experience daily migraines, and millions more suffer from at least two migraines a month.

Migraines translate into an annual loss of $13 billion and 113 million sick days in the work world, according to the Migraine Research Foundation, since 90 percent of employees are unable to function when a migraine strikes.

Children, too

Sadly, not just adults suffer from this neurological disorder. Ten percent of school-aged children also suffer, some as young as 18 months old.

Matthew Ranberg was 8 when his symptoms first appeared. His mother, Alicia, thought he was suffering from heatstroke or sunstroke.

"It happened so quickly. He came home from the pool complaining he was sick to his stomach and his head hurt. We had to shut blinds because Matthew couldn't handle any light. And then he started throwing up, so we called emergency room who said to bring him up right away.

"This was the first time with these symptoms, and the emergency room doctors said it was a combo of sun and sugar, but he was having plenty to drink so we couldn't figure out what it was," she said.

Ranberg began monitoring her son's sugar intake, ensuring he stayed hydrated, but the symptoms persisted. Migraines attacked Matthew several times per week.

Ranberg said, "As his mother, it's scary because I don't know what to attribute it to – is it hormones or something going on more tumor-like? The pediatrician just said monitor and chart the migraines. We would need a referral to see a neurologist and he's not willing to make that referral."

Matthew, now 13, still suffers from migraines, but their frequency appears to be diminishing, says his mother.

"He'll get maybe four a month in the summer – at least one a week – and when the weather is cooler, fewer, but he has still gotten them. Once he gets them, he's down and out for sleeping it off for at least six or seven hours."

Changes everything

Shay Falk, now in her early 40s, began suffering from migraines in her early teens. The migraines were episodic until December 2011, when 15 or more a month hit. By March 2012, migraines occurred daily.

Falk has tried infusion treatments, Botox injections, physical therapy, massage therapy, reflexology, acupuncture and herbal supplements to stop the migraines. Nothing has worked. She's taken more than 22 different kinds of medicines, and none works consistently. All carry side effects.

"Migraines change everything, especially when parenting a young child," says Falk. "I can't go out and do the things I used to do with him. I can't always play with him when he wants, and he has to miss out on some activities that other kids get to do. I have lost most of my friends because I'm not able to do things with them, or I often end up canceling at the last minute.

"It's a very isolating disease, which feeds depression. Some days are more difficult than others, but I have an amazing family that is wonderfully supportive. I couldn't do it without them."

Falk says, "My husband is on constant alert because I'm unable to take care of our son, who is five. When my migraines are at their worst, he must help with my medication because there is an order in which I need to take the meds and I'm not able to focus well enough during my worst migraines. He misses time from work and has taken on extra responsibilities around the house because there's so much I'm not able to do any more."

The next one?

Migraines are an invisible disease without visible signs. Chronic migraine sufferers live in a constant state of either having a migraine or wondering when the next one will start.

"When you're in pain, it's hard to be social or connect with people who aren't [also migraine sufferers]," says Dr. Scott Bentson, DC, MS, CCP, of Lehigh Valley Chiropractic. "Surrounding yourself with positive people who are caring and understanding is vital for reducing social stress.

"If there are people who don't understand your condition, there's little you can do to make them understand. Save those intimate conversations when you discuss the pain you're dealing with for people who do care and understand," he says.

Support

Many support groups exist:

Chronic Migraine Awareness (https://www.facebook.com/groups/cmaware/) offers suggestions, discussion boards and information on current research and treatments.

Two other active groups are www.migraines.org. and the blog, www.fightingheadachedisorders.com.

June is Migraine and Headache Awareness month.