How is migraine diagnosed?
While there is no specific test that can determine whether your headaches are migraine, you can do a lot to help your physician make an accurate diagnosis by keeping a headache journal. Your headache journal should include the location, severity, frequency, and duration of your headaches. You should also make note of any other symptoms that you experience during your headaches, as well as any OTC or prescribed medications you are taking (don't forget herbal products you may be using).Your physician will compare your symptoms to the criteria for migraine headaches set by headache specialists to determine whether you have true migraine headaches. Not all headaches are migraine--there are many other types of headache and the efficacy of treatment will depend on an accurate diagnosis of headache type.
Your physician should be informed immediately if...
- your
headaches began after the age of 50
- a
headache begins suddenly or in an unusual way
- your
headaches are increasing in frequency or severity
- you
are a cancer or HIV patient and you have a new-onset
headache
- your headache includes fever, stiff neck, or a rash.
