Diagnosing Migraines with Aura
Migraine with aura is a type of migraine that is characterized by sensory disturbances or symptoms that occur before or during a headache. These sensory disturbances, known as auras, can take the form of visual disturbances or physical sensations.
To diagnose migraines with aura, doctors may perform several examinations, screening tests, and procedures. These help confirm the diagnosis and determine the type and severity of migraines. Specialists Involved in diagnosing migraines with aura include:
- Primary Care Provider (PCP): Your PCP may initially evaluate your symptoms and refer you to specialists if necessary.
- Neurologist: Neurologists specialize in conditions affecting the nervous system and are often involved in diagnosing and managing migraines.
- Headache Specialist: Some healthcare providers specialize specifically in headaches and migraines and can provide expert guidance in diagnosis and treatment.
Examinations, tests, and procedures for diagnosing migraines with aura include:
- Medical History: Your doctor will ask detailed questions about your headaches, including when they started, their frequency, pain characteristics, triggers or worsening factors, aura symptoms, and medications taken for acute or preventive treatment. They will want to know if you experience aura symptoms, such as visual disturbances or tingling in the arms or legs. They may also ask if other members of your family who experience migraines.
- Physical Examination: A doctor will conduct a physical exam to assess any physical signs of a medical problem related to migraines. A detailed neurologic exam will be performed.
- Blood Tests: Blood tests may be ordered to rule out other conditions that can mimic migraine symptoms.
- Imaging Tests: Imaging tests such as CT scans or MRI scans may be recommended to rule out other causes of headaches like strokes or tumors.
- Lumbar Puncture (Spinal Tap): In some cases, a lumbar puncture may be performed to analyze the cerebrospinal fluid for any abnormalities.
- Dilated Eye Exam: An eye exam may be conducted to check for any eye-related issues that could be contributing to the migraines.
- Migraine Questionnaire: Completing a standardized questionnaire about your symptoms and medical history can provide more insight into your migraines.
Based on initial findings, symptoms, and other individual factors, additional examinations, tests or procedures may be performed.
The healthcare provider may ask you to keep a migraine diary to help determine the frequency and severity of your migraines. You can use a notebook or a smartphone app specifically designed for tracking migraines. A migraine diary may include:
- The date and time migraine symptoms started
- Symptoms experienced, including any symptoms the occurred before the throbbing headache started. This may include nausea, light or sound sensitivity, or aura symptoms such as seeing flashing lights or wavy lines, or feeling tingling in the extremities.
- What you were doing or what food or drink you consumed before the headache started.
- The level of pain or intensity of the migraine headache.
- Any patterns you notice about your headache, including the duration.
- Any medications taken to treat the acute episode.
Having a diagnosis and understanding the type and severity of migraine headache are important for you and the doctor to determine a treatment plan.