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
Risk factors
- family history of migraine
- female sex
- obesity
- stressful life events
- medication overuse
- sleep disorders
- low socioeconomic status
- allergies or asthma
- hypothyroidism
Diagnostic tests
1st tests to order
- clinical diagnosis
Tests to consider
- erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
- c-reactive protein (CRP)
- lumbar puncture (LP)
- cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture
- MRI brain
- CT head
- angiography
Treatment algorithm
presenting to the emergency department with persistent migraine
mild symptoms: nonpregnant
moderate to severe symptoms: nonpregnant
pregnant
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
Timothy A. Collins, MD
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.
Acknowledgements
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
Anne Walling, MD
Professor
Family and Community Medicine
University of Kansas School of Medicine
Wichita
KS
Disclosures
AW declares that she has no competing interests.
Marc S. Husid, MD
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 DifferentialsGuidelines
- 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 GuidelinesPatient information
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