page_title: Migraine
section_title: Diagnosis
hierarchical_section_title: Migraine / Diagnosis
caption_attribution_description: English: A Simple English version of the Migraine disabilty assessment questionnaire
context_page_description: A migraine is a medical condition which usually causes a pounding, throbbing headache on one side of the head. The pain may be very bad and hurt so much that a person may have a hard time doing anything. While most people who have migraines get a headache, not everyone does. There are different kinds of migraines, and some do not cause a headache but do have other symptoms.
  Most migraines cause a headache and nausea and might make the person dizzy or very sensitive to bright lights or loud noises. Some people have "auras" before a migraine starts, which means their ability to see becomes different. They may see funny patterns, have blurry vision, or may not be able to see at all. Other senses can change before or during a migraine, and the person may sense funny smells or tastes. Migraines can last a long time. Migraines usually last between four and 72 hours.
  Migraines have been classified, based on how often they happen in a month: If a person has a headache for less than fifteen days, the migraine is called episodic migraine. If it happens more than fifteen days, it is called chronic migraine. Chronic means it happens over a long amount of time.
context_section_description: There are no specific tests to diagnose migraine but a doctor may use different tests to rule out other causes for a person's symptoms. The diagnosis of migraine is a clinical diagnosis which means it is based upon a person's medical history that a person reports to the doctor. The medical history for a possible migraine diagnosis which can be called the headache history includes information such as:
  Does anyone else in the person's family have medical problems. If so what kind?
  What are all the symptoms you have?
  At what age did the symptoms first start?
  How often do the headaches and/or other symptoms occur?
  How long do the symptoms last?
  Where is the pain? Unilateral: either left or right side of the head - bilateral: both left and right sides
caption: A Simple English version of the Migraine disability assessment questionnaire
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