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Migraine headache in adults

Last reviewed: 26 Feb 2025
Last updated: 07 Mar 2025

Summary

Definition

History and exam

Key diagnostic factors

  • prolonged headache
  • nausea and/or vomiting
  • decreased ability to function
  • headache worse with activity
  • sensitivity to light
  • sensitivity to noise
  • unilateral
  • throbbing sensation
  • aura
Full details

Risk factors

  • family history of migraine
  • female sex
  • obesity
  • stressful life events
  • medication overuse
  • sleep disorders
  • low socioeconomic status
  • allergies or asthma
  • hypothyroidism
Full details

Diagnostic tests

1st tests to order

  • clinical diagnosis
Full details

Tests to consider

  • erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
  • c-reactive protein (CRP)
  • lumbar puncture (LP)
  • cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture
  • MRI brain
  • CT head
  • angiography
Full details

Treatment algorithm

INITIAL

presenting to the emergency department with persistent migraine

ACUTE

mild symptoms: nonpregnant

moderate to severe symptoms: nonpregnant

pregnant

ONGOING

frequent recurring severe/disabling symptoms not linked to menstrual cycle: nonpregnant

frequent recurring severe/disabling symptoms linked to menstrual cycle: nonpregnant

frequent recurring severe/disabling symptoms: pregnant

Contributors

Authors

Associate Professor of Neurology

Chief

Headache Division

Department of Neurology

Duke University Medical Center

Durham

NC

Disclosures

TAC provides expert testimony for legal cases regarding headache disorders and treatment (approximately one or two cases per year). TAC is an author of several references cited in this topic.

Dr Timothy Collins would like to gratefully acknowledge Dr Ann Donnelly, the previous contributor to this topic.

Disclosures

AD declares that she has no competing interests.

Peer reviewers

Professor

Family and Community Medicine

University of Kansas School of Medicine

Wichita

KS

Disclosures

AW declares that she has no competing interests.

Director

Walton Headache Center

Augusta

GA

Disclosures

MSH declares that he has no competing interests.

  • Differentials

    • Tension-type headache (TTH)
    • Cluster headache
    • Medication overuse headache
    More Differentials
  • Guidelines

    • Prevention of episodic migraine headache using pharmacologic treatments in outpatient settings: a clinical guideline from the American College of Physicians
    • The international classification of headache disorders, 3rd edition
    More Guidelines
  • Patient information

    Migraine

    Migraines: questions to ask your doctor

    More Patient information
  • Videos

    Diagnostic lumbar puncture in adults: animated demonstration

    Peripheral intravascular catheter: animated demonstration

    More videos
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