What is Migraine Disease?
According to diagnostic criteria established by the International Headache Society, in order to be diagnosed with migraine disease, patients must have had at least 5 headache attacks that lasted 4–72 hours and the attacks must have had at least 2 of the following characteristics:
- Unilateral location
- Pulsating quality
- Moderate or severe pain intensity
- Aggravation by or causing avoidance of routine physical activity
In addition, during the headache the patient must have had at least 1 of the following:
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Photophobia and phonophobia
Migraine Treatments
Abortive therapies are used to treat symptoms when they occur.
- Medication types: NSAIDS, Triptans, Gepants, Ditans
- Nerve blocks: Greater Occipital Nerve (GON) block, Trigger point injections
- Neuromodulation devices: Cefaly, electroCore, Nerivio, Gammacore, Relivion
Preventive therapies are administered routinely to reduce the intensity and frequency of migraine attacks.
- Medication types: Antihypertensives, Antidepressants, Calcium Channel Blockers, Anti-seizure medications, Supplements and vitamins as well as Gepants and CGRP Monoclonal Antibodies
- Neuromodulation devices: Cefaly, electroCore, Gammacore
Play an active role in your healthcare by learning about migraine disease. We have created and curated a selection of resources to help keep you informed on migraine, from treatments to triggers and more. Hear from experts in the migraine community in our podcast, get advice from patients going through similar journeys to you on the blog and discover resources from other migraine organizations.
Click on the play buttons below the videos to view our different podcasts.
Treatments
Types of Migraine
Pediatric Migraine
Natural Remedies
The Relationship Between Migraine and Fibromyalgia
Migraine and ME/CFS
Migraine and Parkinson’s Disease
Did You Develop Headaches from PPE? You Are Not Alone
Migraine and Bipolar Disorder
The Relationship Between Migraine and Endometriosis
Diving into the Connection Between Migraine and Patent Foramen Ovale
The Connection Between Migraine and COVID-19/Long-COVID
We’re Making Great Headway in the Migraine Field, Let’s Continue the Momentum for Vestibular Migraine
The Relationship Between Depression and Migraine
Children and Migraine
When a child complains of a headache, the first step should be to take the complaint seriously.
Migraine is one of the most common neurologic conditions in children. It can create significant childhood disability by causing absences from school. This also can interrupt parents' work and family schedules. It is estimated that children with migraine lose one and a half weeks more schooling per year than their peers. A questionnaire, PedMIDAS, was developed to assess migraine disability in pediatric and adolescent patients.
It has been estimated that about 10% of children between 6 and 20 years of age have migraine. Attacks can begin at an early age and the prevalence increases with age:
- 3% in children ages two to seven
- 5% percent in ages seven to eleven
- 5% of boys and 10% of girls during puberty, ages eleven and older
It can be very helpful for clinicians to provide school nurses with personalized treatment recommendations, or a Migraine Action Plan on each child with migraine.
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CME for your doctor
Print and share this handout with your primary care physician, gynecologist, dentist, nurses and other healthcare providers!
