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Is Your Headache a Migraine?

Is a migraine just a really bad headache? Is a really bad headache always migraine? The answer to both of these questions is “no.” Migraine is a neurological disorder, and there are several types of migraine1. For some people, migraine can be debilitating and last for days. For most people who have “just a headache,” their symptoms are much less severe and are treatable with over-the-counter pain medicines.

So, how do you know if you suffer from migraine? And how do doctors make the diagnosis?

To understand if you have migraine, the American Migraine Foundation suggests asking yourself the following questions:

  • Is your pain moderate to severe? Maybe even unbearable?
  • Do you have throbbing, often on only one side of the head?
  • Have your headaches been accompanied by nausea and vomiting? Do they cause you to be intensely sensitive to noise, light or even smells?
  • Does moving around make the pain worse?
  • Is it bad enough that you have to miss work or school—or does it affect your performance there?
  • Do your headaches last four hours or more, possibly even several days?

If you answered “yes” to at least two of these, you may suffer from migraine2.

For people with migraine, it’s common to have the associated symptoms mentioned in the questions above. Women are three times more likely to have migraine than men3.

Many people are able to tell “when a migraine is coming on.” A few days before it hits, they may have symptoms including food cravings, changes in mood, stiff neck, increased thirst, constipation and yawning. Some people experience what is called aura just before a migraine starts. There are many presentations of aura, but most are visual disturbances like flashing lights or wavy or zigzag lines2. Auras can also include vision loss or a “pins and needles” feeling in arms or legs4. After the migraine headache happens, some people feel moody, dizzy, weak, sensitive to sound and light, confused or drained5.

To help your doctor diagnose your headaches, keep track of how often you have a migraine, how long it lasts and how bad it is. Look for things that might trigger your headaches. Be ready to talk to your doctor about all your symptoms before, during and after your migraine6. While many primary care providers know how to identify and treat migraine, try to find a headache specialist if possible. They are the most likely to know the latest research on migraines and their treatments. To find one in your area, go to americanmigrainefoundation.org/find-a-doctor/.

  1. Health Union, LLC https://migraine.com/migraine-types/  Accessed 3/5/20
  2. American Migraine Foundation. Identifying and treating migraine. https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/resource-library/identifying-treating-migraine/ Accessed 1/18/19
  3. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Migraine information page. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Migraine-Information-Page Accessed 1/18/19
  4. National Headache Foundation. Aura. https://headaches.org/2007/10/25/aura/ Accessed 3/5/20
  5. MedlinePlus. Migraine. https://medlineplus.gov/migraine.html Accessed 3/6/19
  6. National Headache Foundation. Your migraine, your symptoms: What you need to know. https://headaches.org/resources/your-migraine-your-symptoms-what-you-need-to-know/ Accessed 1/18/19

This article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.  If you have questions about any medical condition, you should consult with your qualified health provider.

Coverage for medical care is determined in accordance with your medical plan.  See your plan's summary plan description (SPD) for details.