When to suspect migraine

  • Recurrent headache of moderate to severe intensity
  • Visual aura
  • Family history of migraine
  • Onset of symptoms at or around puberty

In the third edition of the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-3), migraine is classified into three main types:

  • migraine without aura
  • migraine with aura
  • chronic migraine

Types of migraine

Recommendations

Suspect migraine without aura in a person with recurrent moderate to severe headache, particularly if pain is unilateral and/or pulsating, and when the person has accompanying symptoms such as photophobia, phonophobia, nausea and/or vomiting.

Suspect migraine with aura in a person with the symptoms above and recurrent, short-lasting visual and/or hemisensory disturbances.

Suspect chronic migraine in a person with ≥15 headache days per month.

Suspicion of migraine should be strengthened by a family history of migraine and if onset of symptoms is at or around puberty.