Is it migraine?

Migraine is a common disorder affecting 8-10% of the population. It results in significant morbidity and has social and economic consequences. Vascular and neurogenic mechanisms are involved in the genesis of migraine. Serotonin plays an important part. Attacks are brought on by internal (not identified) and external (identified) trigger factors in people predisposed to the condition, often on an hereditary basis.

The diagnosis of migraine depends on the recognition of the features specific to the condition. This article aims to define these features.

There are diagnostic criteria which define the two main types of migraine--migraine with aura and migraine without aura. The variants of migraine need to be recognised and migraine needs to be distinguished from cluster headache. It is also important to recognise and exclude sinister causes of headache. Treatment is not discussed.