Diagnosis & Treatment - American Migraine Foundation

Signs & Symptoms

Migraine Diagnosis & Treatment

We understand that searching for answers about your migraine symptoms is often confusing and intimidating—all while living in a state of uncertainty. The good news is you are not alone, and the help you need is closer than you may think. Set yourself up for success by understanding migraine diagnosis and treatment.

How is Migraine Diagnosed?

There is no test to diagnose migraine. Instead, your doctor will gather your symptoms, conduct a physical examination and review your personal and family medical history to reach a conclusion. Your doctor may also order a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scan to rule out any other conditions.

Talking with Your Doctor

1

Find a doctor you can trust and build a healthy patient-doctor relationship.

2

Set goals for your appointment and start by sharing them with your doctor.

3

Inform your doctor of all your symptoms.

4

Come prepared with your personal and family medical history.

5

Take notes and don’t be afraid to ask your doctor questions.

After a Diagnosis 

You may have more questions than answers after being diagnosed with migraine or another headache disorder. Take time to digest the information and proceed by doing the following:

Signs & Symptoms

Need help gathering your thoughts before or after an appointment with your doctor?

Need help gathering your thoughts before or after an appointment with your doctor?

Migraine Treatment

Types of Treatment for Migraine

Just as migraine affects people differently, there is no single path to successful treatment or management of the disease. Migraine care is multi-faceted and often includes a mixture of treatments and therapies to manage symptoms.

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