Migraine Diagnosis & Assessment
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- 0203 386 9000
- Nuffield Health at St Bartholomew's Hospital 38 Giltspur Street London EC1A 7BS
- info@themigraineclinic.co.uk
Migraine Diagnosis & Assessment
An accurate diagnosis offers reassurance that headaches do not result from an underlying serious condition. With a clear diagnosis and appropriate treatment, the frequency and severity of attacks can be reduced and controlled.
Currently, there is no single test for migraines—scans like CT or MRI can rule out other causes but not confirm migraine. Diagnosis relies on your doctor reviewing your medical history and ruling out other explanations, using details from your headache characteristics, impact on daily life, and family history, as well as a neurological exam.
Migraine symptoms can change over time, especially with hormonal changes. If you have different headache types or are unsure of your diagnosis, discuss these at your consultation for appropriate treatment.
Migraine is the most prevalent condition among these disorders. It is a neurological disorder characterised by abnormal brain activity related to nerve signals, neurochemicals, and cerebral blood vessels. Migraine extends beyond a standard headache and can significantly disrupt daily activities.
A diagnosis of migraine is made when an individual has experienced at least five attacks meeting defined criteria with certain headache characteristics, associated symptoms, and the exclusion of alternative causes.
According to the International Headache Society, migraine is defined as a recurrent headache disorder, with attacks generally lasting from 4 hours to 3 days.
Migraine symptoms vary between individuals, and these attacks can disrupt daily activities and concentration. Episodes often last four hours to three days, with some symptoms present up to 24 hours before or after the onset of head pain. Most individuals do not have symptoms between episodes. The severity and combination of symptoms can vary, and although stages of a migraine attack are recognised, they may not always be clearly distinguishable for everyone, although certain recurring patterns may be present.
- Head pain
- Visual disturbances such as patterns or flashing lights
- Sensitivity to light, sounds, or smells
- Fatigue
- Nausea or vomiting