Migraine guide
Audience: Patients and providers
Status: Clinical guide · patient + provider
Last updated: 2026-03-09
1. What this disease is
Migraine guide is a common condition that benefits from early diagnosis, clear education, and a structured care plan.
2. Common causes and risk factors
- Neurovascular disorder with trigeminovascular activation and central sensitization.
- Common triggers include sleep disruption, stress, hormonal shifts, and diet patterns.
3. Typical symptoms
- Recurrent unilateral/bilateral throbbing headache, nausea, photophobia/phonophobia, +/- aura.
4. Diagnosis and evaluation
- Confirm diagnosis with guideline-based history, exam, and indicated testing.
- Screen for severity, complications, and high-risk comorbid conditions.
- Identify social or access barriers that could affect treatment success.
5. Treatment (non-pharmacologic)
- Trigger diary, sleep regularity, hydration, exercise, and stress-modulation strategies.
- Headache action plan to prevent medication overuse.
6. Treatment (pharmacologic)
- Acute options: NSAID, triptan, gepant/ditan pathways by phenotype and risk.
- Preventive options: beta blockers, antiepileptics, CGRP-pathway therapies, others as appropriate.
- Match regimen to frequency, disability, and comorbidity profile.
7. Monitoring and follow-up
- Monthly headache days, acute medication use frequency, disability scores, adverse effects.
8. Practical counseling points
- Give patients a clear “what to do today / when to call / when to seek urgent care” plan.
- Use teach-back to confirm understanding of treatment goals and medication instructions.
- Simplify regimens when possible to improve adherence and outcomes.
9. Red flags and escalation
- Escalate care urgently for severe or rapidly worsening symptoms.
- Reassess diagnosis if expected response does not occur within the anticipated timeline.
10. Guideline references
- American Headache Society guidance.
- AAN/AHS migraine prevention guidance.
- ICHD diagnostic criteria resources.
Note: Educational guide only; not a substitute for individualized medical care.