How Do You Know If You Have Migraines?

Any person-adult or child-who has "the worst headache of my life", that does not resolve with standard over-the-counter therapy, should contact their physician immediately. While the diagnosis may be a migraine, this diagnosis can only be made after other serious and even life-threatening problems are considered and ruled out. If it is a migraine, there are now many preventive and therapeutic regimens. See your doctor!

Take Dr. Donnica's Decisionnaire ™ to see if your headache pain is migraine. Check off all that apply and take this list with you to consult your physician.

___	Your headache pain is generally on one side of the head.
___	The pain is pulsating or throbbing.
___	The pain is worsened by routine physical activities.
___	The pain is moderate to severe in intensity.
___	The pain inhibits or prohibits your usual activities.
___	The pain is accompanied by nausea or vomiting.
___	The pain is accompanied by sensitivity to light and sound.
___	The pain is brought on by any of the triggers listed here.
___	You can often feel the headache coming on.
___	You get 2 or more moderate to severe headaches per week.
___	Your severe headaches occur in the 2-3 days before your period.
___	Your pain is so severe that it requires bed rest.
___	Your pain does not go away within 48 hours.
___	You get a severe headache from caffeine withdrawal or eating Chinese food (sometimes high in MSG).

Consult your physician immediately if:

___	Your headache is the worst headache of your life.
___	Your headache is accompanied by fever and a stiff neck.
___	Your headaches begin after or are caused by head injury, exertion, coughing or bending.
___	You experience your first severe headache after the age of 50.
___	You have visual changes/disturbances immediately before the headache or along with it.
___	You have numbness or tingling along one side of the body.

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Created: 9/22/2000  -  Donnica Moore, M.D.