Migraine Headache Diagnosis, Treatment & Cost

PACE Hospitals offers comprehensive migraine treatment in Hyderabad, India, providing expert care for patients suffering from recurrent migraine headache problems. Migraine is a neurological condition causing intense headache attacks, often with nausea and sensitivity to light and sound. Our experienced specialist doctor manages all types of migraine with personalized care plans.


Accurate migraine diagnosis is based on clinical evaluation and assessment of triggers and stages of migraine. Treatment includes preventive medications, pain relief therapies, and lifestyle modification. Although there is no permanent cure, proper management helps control the problem and reduce attack frequency.

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Migraine headache diagnosis in Hyderabad, Telangana, India

Migraine Diagnosis

Migraine is a primary headache neurological disorder, diagnosed clinically (i.e., based on the patient's symptoms and clinical features), but does not include lab tests or imaging (preferred only when there are underlying neurological symptoms). Doctors usually consider typical features to identify migraines, such as headache intensity, one-sided pain, throbbing or pulsating in nature, exacerbation of pain accompanied by migraine triggers, duration of hours, sensitivity to sound and light, and nausea. Doctors, such as general physicians, neurologists, or headache specialists, usually make a diagnosis solely based on symptoms and clinical features. Below are the steps involved in evaluating migraine headache diagnosis:

  • Collection of patient history and demographics
  • Apply International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd Edition (ICHD-3)
  • diagnostic criteria - does it match?
  • Migraine without aura
  • Migraine with aura
  • Typical aura
  • Brainstem aura
  • Hemiplegic migraine
  • Retinal migraine
  • Chronic migraine
  • Physical and neurological examination
  • To rule out the SNNOOP 10 acronym (for neuroimaging consideration)
  • Decide on imaging/tests (consider neuroimaging if SNOOP positive)


Collection of patient history and demographics

It involves collecting patient information to facilitate diagnosis, and demographic factors such as age, gender, race, and profession should also be considered. The following are the questions asked by the doctors to the patients:

  • When did the headache start?
  • Where does it hurt, and does it spread?
  • What is the intensity and quality of pain?
  • How long does it last, and how often does it occur?
  • What migraine triggers worsen pain or improve symptoms?
  • Are there any associated symptoms like sensitivity to sound or light?
  • What medications are taken, and how effective are they?
  • At what age did headaches begin?
  • Has anyone in the family diagnosed with migraine?

What is the nature of your job, and are there any factors in the workplace triggering migraines?

Apply International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd Edition (ICHD-3) diagnostic criteria does it match?

The International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-3) provides a detailed description of diagnostic criteria in the following steps, which include:

Migraine without aura

At least 5 headache attacks must fulfil the following criteria

  • Headache attacks last for 4-72 hours if they remain untreated or if treatment is unsuccessful
  • Headache attacks should have at least 2 of the following features:
  • Unilateral location
  • Pulsating nature
  • Moderate or severe pain intensity
  • Exacerbation of headache or causing avoidance of daily physical activity, such as walking or climbing stairs
  • During a headache attack, it must have at least 1 of the following features:
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Sensitivity to light(photophobia) and Sensitivity to sound(phonophobia)

If fewer than 5 attacks are present but all other criteria are met, then the diagnosis is considered probable migraine without aura.


Migraine with aura: At least 2 attacks must fulfil the following criteria

  • One or more aura symptoms must be present during a headache, which include:
  • Visual symptoms
  • Sensory symptoms
  • Speech and language
  • Motor function
  • Brainstem symptoms
  • Retinal symptoms
  • At least three of the following aura features must be met during a headache.
  • One aura symptom should at least spread gradually over 5 or more minutes
  • Two or more aura symptoms occur in succession (it means that aura symptom appear one after another in sequence during the same migraine attack)
  • Each aura symptom lasts for 5-60 minutes
  • At least one aura symptom is unilateral
  • At least one aura symptom is positive (e.g. bright spots)
  • Aura symptoms are followed within 60 minutes by the headache


Migraine with typical aura

It presents with temporary, reversible focal neurological symptoms, usually visual, such as fortification spectra (zigzag lines) or sensory paresthesia (tingling), that last for 5 to 60 minutes. Must have at least three of the following symptoms: 

  • Gradual spread over ≥5 min
  • Sequential symptoms (that come one after the other) 
  • Positive or unilateral features, or a headache within 60 minutes of the aura


Brainstem aura: It is a type of migraine in which the aura symptoms originate from the brain stem without motor weakness. It is diagnosed when the aura includes 2 or more fully reversible brainstem symptoms, such as:

  • Vertigo (dizziness)
  • Dysarthria (slurred speech)
  • Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
  • Hyperacusis (reduced hearing)
  • Diplopia (double vision)
  • Ataxia (unsteadiness)
  • Bilateral numbness


Hemiplegic migraine: It is diagnosed when the aura is associated with motor weakness.


Retinal migraine: It is characterised by repeated attacks of visual disturbance only in one eye(monocular), and it is diagnosed when the aura is fully reversible with monocular visual symptoms such as:

  • Scintillations (flashing lights)
  • Scotoma (blind spots)
  • Temporary loss of vision in one eye


Chronic migraine: Headache on or more than 15 days per month, for greater than 3 months, should fulfil the following criteria

  • Having a history of headache of at least 5 attacks meets the criteria for migraines with or without aura.
  • Headache on or more than 8 days per month, lasting for 3 months or more, must have any of these features:
  • Migraine without aura criteria
  • Migraine with aura criteria
  • When a headache is relieved by migraine-specific medication only (e.g. triptan)


Physical and Neurological Examination

  • Physical examination: It is used to assess general health and identify secondary causes of headache, such as infection, tumours, and other conditions. It also supports migraine diagnosis to exclude other conditions that mimic migraine symptoms. A general physical examination includes measuring vital signs such as blood pressure, temperature, and pulse rate. So, measuring these signs helps rule out the cause of the headache, whether it is due to a fever-related infection (meningitis) or high blood pressure.
  • Neurological examination: It helps to evaluate how well nervous system is functioning by checking for mental status and cognitive function(memory, alertness), cranial nerve function which includes analysis of vision, facial and eye movements, coordination and balance of body, muscle strength and reflexes, sensory functioning like response to pain, touch and temperature is checked and other functions such as blood pressure changes and heart rate associated with nervous system.


So, overall physical and neurological examination helps to rule out other conditions which can cause headaches with similar symptoms like meningitis, brain haemorrhage, and identifying focal neurological deficits (weakness or sensory loss), altered mental status and signs indicating increased intracranial pressure (if such signs are present, it is recommended to undergo an MRI or CT). These exams help to avoid unnecessary testing in case the patient presents migraine symptoms with a normal physical and neurological examination, indicating no requirement for further imaging or lab tests.


To rule out the SNNOOP10 acronym (for neuroimaging consideration)

The SNNOOP10 acronym helps physicians rule out secondary, potentially dangerous underlying headache causes rather than primary migraine itself. If SNNOOP is positive, it indicates that the headache may be due to underlying conditions and requires urgent management (MRI or CT).

SNNOOP10 mnemonic stands for:

  • S-Systemic signs or symptoms
  • N-Neurologic focal deficit (weakness, numbness, seizures, confusion)
  • N-New or worsening headache
  • O-Onset sudden/thunderclap
  • O-Onset at older age
  • P-Progression or pattern change
  • 1-Positional headache (worsens lying down/upright)
  • 0-Papilledema (optic disc swelling)

Systemic signs or symptoms: It indicates systemic infections rather than migraine and is associated with symptoms such as fever, night sweats, weight loss, recent diagnosis of HIV, cancer suggestive of meningitis (inflammation of meninges surrounding brain and spinal cord), encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and malignancy (presence of cancerous cells), etc.

Neurological focal deficit: It involves other neurological symptoms, rather than simple migraine, such as weakness, numbness, confusion, seizures, altered consciousness, and visual disturbances (not related to migraine), which may indicate findings of stroke, infection, or other intracranial conditions.

New or worsening headache: Headache significantly different from patient's baseline pattern or progressively worsening compared to prior history, suggestive of tumor growth, hydrocephalus, or expanding pathology rather than typical migraine.

Onset sudden/thunderclap: It indicates a sudden onset of headache that worsens within seconds to minutes, strongly suggesting subarachnoid haemorrhage (bleeding into the subarachnoid space) or a vascular emergency rather than migraine.

Onset at older age: Migraine usually begins at an early age; if headache starts after age 50, it is suggestive of further evaluation for possible secondary causes of space-occupying lesions (abnormal masses, particularly in the skull or brain).

Progression or pattern change: Headache pattern changes, which means its frequency, severity, and features when compared with history, are suggestive of possible secondary causes such as tumour growth or haemorrhage (loss of blood from a damaged blood vessel).

Positional headache: Headache worsens when lying down (low-pressure headache) or standing up (high-pressure headache), characteristic of CSF leak/spinal headache rather than migraine.

Papilledema: Optic disc swelling on fundoscopy indicates increased intracranial pressure from mass effect, hydrocephalus, or venous thrombosis rather than migraine.


Decide on imaging/tests (consider neuroimaging if SNNOOP 10 positive)

The SNNOOP 10 acronym usually helps the physicians to consider neuroimaging like Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI brain), Computed Tomography(CT brain) or any other test, if SNNOOP 10 is positive for the following symptoms including systemic, neurological symptoms, onset(severity of headache) or >50 at onset of headache, changes in headache pattern, positional changes, papilledema, pregnancy, eye pain, post traumatic onset to rule out secondary serious causes such as brain tumor, infection, hemorrhage and lesions. If individuals present with migraine features with normal physical and neurological examinations, then there will be no requirement for neuroimaging.

✅Migraine Stages

Migraine attacks typically progress through up to 4 distinct stages, though not everyone experiences all of them. This framework helps clinicians in assessing migraine severity and guiding treatment strategies. The following are the 4 stages of migraine, which include:


The Prodrome Phase: This first stage, which is also called the premonitory phase, can start hours or even days before the headache. Some of the signs are mood swings (like being irritable or happy), food cravings, yawning a lot, being tired, having a stiff neck, and increased urination.


Aura Stage: This reversible neurological symptom phase doesn't happen to everyone; it only happens to about 25–30% of people. It lasts for 5 to 60 minutes and can cause problems with vision (flashing lights, zigzag lines, blind spots), changes in the senses (tingling or numbness), trouble speaking, or dizziness.


Headache Stage: The main attack is a throbbing pain that can be mild to severe and is usually on one side of the head. It gets worse when affected people move around. It can last anywhere from 4 to 72 hours without treatment and can cause nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound, or blurred vision.


The Postdrome Phase: This "migraine hangover" phase can last for up to a day after the headache ends and make feel tired, confused, moody, or weak. Some people feel euphoric (intense happiness) or refreshed in this migraine last stage.

✅Migraine Differential Diagnosis

Migraine is a common primary headache disorder, and its diagnosis is based on clinical evaluation and comparison with the standard criteria ICHD-3. Understanding differential diagnosis is important because many other headache types and neurological conditions can mimic migraine symptoms. Differentiating migraine from other dangerous secondary causes like brain haemorrhage or meningitis can prevent misdiagnosis and inaccurate treatment, which decreases the risk for life-threatening outcomes. The various differential diagnosis conditions include:

  • Tension-type headache
  • Cluster headache
  • Subarachnoid/intracranial haemorrhage
  • Meningitis/encephalitis
  • Cervicogenic headache
  • Trauma-related headache
  • Sinus headache(sinusitis)

Tension-type headache:  It is a common primary type of headache disorder and is often confused with migraine. The differentiating features from migraine include a bilateral band-like headache rather than unilateral, pressing pain rather than pulsating, no signs of nausea, and sensitivity to sound or light, which are features of typical migraine, and this headache is not worsened by physical activity.

Cluster headache:  It is a primary headache disorder distinct from migraine. Key differentiating features include strictly unilateral periorbital/temporal pain (migraine pain is often unilateral but may become bilateral); short duration of 15-180 minutes (vs migraine's 4-72 hours); and prominent ipsilateral autonomic features including conjunctival injection/redness, lacrimation, nasal congestion/rhinorrhea, ptosis (drooping eyelid), and facial sweating—none of which occur in migraine.

Subarachnoid/intra-cranial hemorrhage:  It can mimic headaches, but it is life-threatening, and its features include a sudden onset of a thunderclap headache (severe headache) that reaches peak intensity within seconds to minutes, associated with symptoms such as neck stiffness, loss of consciousness that does not match migraine features and requires urgent neuroimaging.

Meningitis/Encephalitis:  Headaches can have infectious causes and systemic signs, such as neck stiffness and fever, that cause meningeal irritation and altered mental status, requiring urgent further evaluation.

Cervicogenic headache:  It is a secondary headache due to neck disorders that can mimic migraine symptoms. The differentiating features of cervicogenic headache from migraine include headache that originates in the neck and worsens with postural changes, unilateral pain that starts in the neck and transmits to the head, and no association with migraine symptoms (nausea, sensitivity to light or sound).

Trauma-related headache:  Post-traumatic headaches may mimic migraines after head injury, but differentiating features such as having a history of head trauma, pain associated with dizziness, fatigue, inability to focus and respond differently to migraine-specific medications.

Sinus headache(sinusitis):  Sinus headache is often mistaken for migraine because of overlapping symptoms, but key distinguishing features help to differentiate from migraine, which include facial pain in cheeks or around eyes, nasal colored discharge or congestion and fever associated with sinus infection may be present.

✅Goals of Migraine Therapy

Migraine is a common neurological disorder, and its main aim is to reduce recurrent attacks and pain management by using both acute and preventive therapy, which improves daily functioning, thereby reducing the long-term burden. Some of the goals are mentioned below:

  • To relieve migraine symptoms such as nausea, light sensitivity, and sound sensitivity.
  • To reduce the recurrent migraine attacks after treatment.
  • Decrease the need for additional rescue medications.
  • To reduce the frequency, severity, and duration of migraine attacks.
  • To improve treatment response, decrease disability, and enhance quality of life, thereby reducing long-term burden.
  • Decrease the need for additional acute medications and minimise the risk from overuse of medications.

Get Medical Second Opinion for Migraine Treatment for Better Clarification

At PACE Hospitals, we are committed to providing our patients with the best possible care, and that includes offering second medical opinions with super specialists for treatment or surgery. We recommend everyone to get an expert advance medical second opinion, before taking decision for your treatment or surgery.

Migraine headache treatment has no cure, but it involves a multifactorial approach to relieve symptoms, prevent recurrent attacks, and improve quality of life, using acute treatment to relieve pain immediately, preventive strategies, and personalised lifestyle modification based on individual needs and triggers. Migraine therapy includes the following:

Non-pharmacological management of migraine

  • Regular exercise
  • Yoga
  • Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
  • Biofeedback
  • Relaxation training
  • Reduction of triggers
  • Neuromodulation device


Pharmacological management of migraine 

  • Acute treatment (for immediate relief of pain)
  • Over-the-counter drugs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, NSAIDs
  • Migraine-specific prescription medications
  • Triptans
  • Antiemetics
  • Ditans
  • Preventive/prophylactic treatment (for reducing future attacks)
  • Beta-blockers
  • Antiepileptic drugs
  • Antidepressants
  • Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) antagonists (Gepants)


Non-pharmacological management of migraine

  • Regular exercise: It is recommended to engage in regular physical activity, such as walking or cycling, to reduce migraine attack severity and frequency and manage stress, thereby improving overall attack frequency with other lifestyle modifications. Exercise does not replace medication, but it strengthens the body and makes it more resistant to triggers.
  • Yoga: Minimal yoga techniques, including breathing exercises and stretching, help manage migraine by reducing stress (a migraine trigger) and promoting relaxation.
  • Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT): It is a structured, non-drug approach to managing migraines that focuses on finding and changing negative thought patterns and behaviours that make headaches worse. It reduces migraine frequency, severity, and disability while improving quality of life. It does this by teaching coping skills, managing triggers, and reducing stress.
  • Biofeedback: It is a non-pharmacological therapy for migraines in which patients use sensors to monitor and learn to control factors such as muscle tension and hand temperature. This helps individuals relax and lower stress levels. It works effectively by reducing the frequency and severity of migraine attacks compared to not getting treatment.
  • Relaxation training: Various relaxation techniques, such as progressive muscle relaxation, deep breathing and meditation, help to decrease the frequency and severity of migraine attacks by managing stress, which is a common trigger of migraine.
  • Reduction of triggers: Avoiding personal migraine triggers such as sleep patterns, stress, skipped meals, dehydration, and lack of exercise helps to prevent migraine attacks and reduce their overall impact.
  • Neuromodulation device: Neuromodulation devices can be used to treat acute migraine attacks and prevent future attacks by sending mild electrical impulses to the nerves, thereby reducing pain without using medication.


Pharmacological management of migraine

1) Acute treatment (for immediate relief of pain)

a) Over-the-counter drugs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, NSAIDs)

NSAIDs therapy is aimed at reducing ongoing migraine attacks, and it is more effective when taken early during an attack. It is recommended as first-line therapy to treat mild to moderate acute migraine attacks by reducing pain and inflammation (inhibiting the cyclooxygenase enzyme COX, which usually releases inflammatory cytokines in response to pain). Also combined with an antiemetic to enhance absorption in case nausea is present.

B) Migraine-specific prescription medications

  • Triptans: It is recommended as first-line therapy to manage moderate to severe migraine attacks and can be combined with NSAIDs to enhance their effect. It acts by inhibiting the activation of the trigeminal pain pathway and causes cranial blood vessels to vasoconstrict, thereby reducing migraine pain and symptoms.
  • Antiemetics: They are used to manage symptoms associated with migraine, such as nausea, and improve gastric emptying to improve the efficacy of acute medication.
  • Ditans: They are used to reduce migraine pain without causing vasoconstriction (constriction/narrowing of blood vessels) because they do not activate 5-HT1B receptors; rather, they activate 5-HT1F receptors, which reduce pain signalling to the brain stem and therefore reduce migraine pain.

Preventive/prophylactic treatment (for reducing future attacks)

  • Beta blockers: It is used as first-line preventive therapy if not contraindicated in certain conditions. Beta blockers decrease the frequency of migraine attacks when used consistently by calming the hyperactive brain nerve cells and stabilising blood vessels, which are involved in triggering migraine attacks.
  • Antiepileptic drugs: This class of drugs reduces migraine attacks by preventing excessive firing of brain nerve cells and inhibiting cortical spreading depression, which means it blocks the slow wave of abnormal electrical activity spreading across the brain cortex involved in the migraine initiation pathway.
  • Antidepressants: These drugs help to regulate the chemical imbalance that is involved in the pain-signalling pathway of migraine. So, by strengthening these pathways, it helps to reduce pain signals, thereby preventing migraine attacks.
  • Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) antagonists (Gepants): Gepants are a drug class that acts on CGRP receptors and prevents the binding of calcitonin gene-related peptide, which is released during migraine attacks and is involved in sending pain signals to the brain. So, gepants block this receptor (CGRP) and prevent transmission of pain signals in the trigeminovascular system (cranial nerve 5, which carries pain signals to the brain), resulting in reducing the severity and frequency of migraine attacks. Gepants are effective for many patients with frequent attacks.

✅Migraine Prognosis

Migraine prognosis is not poor overall because, with proper preventive care and lifestyle modification, many people can experience less frequent and severe attacks over time. Still, medication overuse and chronic migraine require targeted therapy management to achieve a major reduction in migraine attacks. However, identifying and avoiding personal triggers such as irregular sleep, stress, skipping meals, and medication overuse, and managing medication overuse can improve the likelihood of better outcomes.

Migraine Treatment Cost in Hyderabad, India

Migraine Treatment cost in Hyderabad generally ranges from ₹10,000 to ₹1,50,000 per year (approx. US $120 – US $1,805).

The exact cost of migraine treatment varies depending on the frequency and severity of migraine attacks (episodic or chronic migraine), need for preventive medications, neurological consultations, diagnostic tests, injectable therapies (such as Botox), and response to treatment. Associated conditions like anxiety, sleep disorders, or hormonal triggers may also influence management costs — along with hospital facilities, advanced diagnostic services, and availability of cashless treatment options, TPA corporate tie-ups, and insurance assistance wherever applicable.


Cost Breakdown According to Type of Migraine Treatment

  • Basic Migraine Evaluation & Medication – ₹10,000 – ₹40,000 per year (US $120 – US $480)
  • Chronic Migraine with Preventive Therapy – ₹30,000 – ₹90,000 per year (US $360 – US $1,080)
  • Migraine With Advanced Neurological Evaluation (MRI + Tests) – ₹40,000 – ₹1,20,000 (US $480 – US $1,445)
  • Hospitalisation for Severe Migraine / Status Migrainosus – ₹50,000 – ₹1,50,000 (US $600 – US $1,805)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Migraine Headache

  • How to cure migraine permanently?

    There is no permanent cure for migraine because it is a chronic neurological disorder and managed lifelong in individuals suffering from migraine, but it aims to prevent the recurrent migraine attacks, reduce severity and frequency by using acute (immediate pain-relieving) medications, preventive therapies to reduce future migraine attacks and lifestyle modifications to improve the overall quality of life.

  • Which Is the best hospital for Migraine Treatment in Hyderabad, India?

    PACE Hospitals, Hyderabad, is a trusted centre for the diagnosis and management of migraine and chronic headache disorders, offering comprehensive neurological care.


    We have enthusiastic and highly experienced neurologists, pain specialists, internal medicine experts, and rehabilitation teams who follow evidence-based treatment protocols focused on reducing attack frequency, controlling pain, identifying triggers, and improving quality of life.


    With access to advanced neuroimaging (MRI, CT), headache clinics, preventive therapy programs, injectable treatment options, and structured follow-up care, PACE Hospitals ensures personalised and patient-centred migraine management.

  • How to stop a migraine headache?

    Migraine can be stopped by taking early acute medications during migraine attack such as NSAIDs to manage mild to moderate pain or triptans to reduce moderate to severe pain, with newer drug agents like ditans (5HT1F receptor antagonist) or gepants(calcitonin gene related protein antagonist) are effective alternatives and neuromodulation(external device that is used to deliver electrical stimulation that reduces cortical depression spreading and trigeminovascular system that triggers pain) can help to reduce frequency and acute attacks. Both NSAIDs and triptans in combination are more effective than single therapy.

  • What Is the Cost of Migraine Treatment at PACE Hospitals, Hyderabad?

    At PACE Hospitals, Hyderabad, the cost of migraine treatment typically ranges from

    ₹8,000 to ₹1,20,000 and above per year (approx. US $95 – US $1,445), making it a cost-effective option for specialised neurological care. However, the final cost depends on:

    • Frequency and severity of migraine attacks
    • Need for preventive medications
    • Requirement for advanced diagnostic imaging
    • Specialist consultations and follow-up visits
    • Management of associated conditions
    • Hospitalisation, if needed

    For episodic migraine managed with medication and lifestyle changes, costs remain toward the lower end, while chronic migraine requiring advanced therapies may fall toward the higher range.


    After a detailed neurological evaluation and trigger assessment, our specialists provide a personalised treatment plan and transparent cost estimate aligned with long-term headache control goals.

  • How long will it take for preventive medication to start working?

    Migraine preventive medications take 4-8 weeks to take effect, and it may take 2-3 months to reach maximum effect; they may need to be continued for 3-4 months before evaluating effectiveness. If the dosage is well-tolerated, the doctor recommends continuing it for 6 months or more before considering stopping.

  • Can sinus problems be confused with migraines?

    Yes, sinus headaches and migraines are often confused because they have similar symptoms. For example, migraines can also cause nasal congestion and facial pain. It says that migraine "can be mistaken for rhinosinusitis (inflammation of the nasal lining) because the headache and nasal symptoms are in the same place," so many people diagnosed with sinus headache actually have migraine.

  • Looking for the Best Migraine Treatment Hospital Near Me?

    If you’re searching for the top migraine treatment hospital near me in areas like HITEC City, Madhapur, Kondapur, Gachibowli, Kukatpally, or KPHB, it is important to choose a hospital with experienced neurologists and comprehensive headache management services.

    Effective migraine treatment requires:

    • Accurate diagnosis and trigger identification
    • Advanced neurological evaluation
    • Personalised medication plans
    • Preventive therapy strategies
    • Long-term monitoring and lifestyle guidance

    At PACE Hospitals, Hyderabad, patients receive structured and evidence-based migraine care tailored to individual needs.

How to detect migraine?

Migraine is mainly diagnosed based on clinical evaluation (headache history), neurological examination, and symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound, according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-3). Migraines are usually characterised by throbbing pain, recurrent attacks that are often one-sided, with moderate to severe intensity, lasting 4-72 hours. Keeping a headache diary to note the frequency of attacks, symptoms, and triggers that initiate migraine is important for detecting migraine.

How to treat a migraine?

Migraines can be treated by managing triggers that initiate recurrent attacks, such as resting in a calm room, avoiding certain foods like chocolate and beverages, drinking water, not avoiding meals, physical activity, avoiding stress, and getting required sleep. Migraines can be treated with acute treatments (Triptans, NSAIDs, ditans, and gepants) to relieve pain immediately, and preventive therapies (betablockers, CGRP antagonists, antidepressants, etc.) to prevent recurrent attacks. It is always recommended to consult a physician for personalised treatment.

How to manage migraine headaches at home?

Migraines can be managed at home by exercising regularly, maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, and staying hydrated to reduce attacks and their intensity. It can also be managed by practising relaxation or mindfulness therapies that relieve stress, applying an ice pack on the forehead or the back of the neck, drinking ginger tea, applying peppermint oil and massaging gently, resting in a dark, quiet room, meditation or yoga to prevent stress and improve overall quality of life.

Is coffee good for migraines?

Caffeine (coffee ingredient) intake can relieve acute pain by cerebrovascular constriction (narrowing of blood vessels in the brain). However, regular and excessive coffee intake can make people dependent, increase migraine frequency and worsen the condition, especially on withdrawal. So, coffee is beneficial if used occasionally and harmful if taken regularly.

Is migraine dangerous?

Migraine is a rarely fatal, serious neurological condition and can be dangerous especially in people suffering from migraine with aura(temporary, reversible nervous system disturbances) which increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases and stroke compared to people without migraine, severe complication of migraine (status migrainosus-need attention and hospitalization because migraine attacks does not resolve on its own despite treatment) and misdiagnosis due to overlapping of symptoms with other neurological condition. Overall, migraine mortality has not increased with all types of migraines.

What are the goals of migraine prophylaxis?

The main primary goal of migraine prophylaxis (preventive treatment) is to reduce the frequency, severity, and duration of migraine attacks and other management goals that include migraine symptoms such as nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, to improve the response to treatment, decrease the disability and enhance quality of life thereby reducing long term burden and finally decrease the need for additional acute medications and minimize the risk from overuse of medications.

How can future migraine attacks be prevented?

Future migraine attacks can be prevented by making sedentary lifestyle changes, such as avoiding triggers, getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, working out regularly, and using stress-reduction methods like yoga or cognitive behavioural therapy. If migraine attacks occur often (4 or more times a month) or affect daily activities, it is advised to take preventive medications like beta-blockers or antiepileptic drugs.

What are "rebound" (medication overuse) headaches, and how can they be avoided?

Rebound headaches, also known as medication overuse headaches, happen when painkillers are taken too often (more than 10–15 days a month) for primary headaches like migraines. As the medicine's effect wears off over time, headaches get worse and more frequent. To avoid them, only use acute painkillers for less than three days a week and follow the abrupt discontinuation of overused drugs if identified under medical supervision.

Are MRI or any other scans required for migraine?

No, neuroimaging (MRI or any other scan) is not usually preferred for migraine because the typical migraine evaluation is based on the headache history, symptoms and physical examination. Neuroimaging is recommended only in conditions where red flags such as sudden, severe headache; worsening symptoms; abnormal neurological signs (weakness, confusion); a change in headache pattern; or onset after age 50 are present, as these may indicate secondary causes and are essential to rule out underlying neurological conditions such as trauma, haemorrhage, or lesions.

What can be done when a headache recurs after initial successful treatment?

If a headache recurs or worsens with moderate to severe pain within 24hrs after initial successful treatment then it is recommended to repeat the acute initial dose, switch to the longer acting agent, combination of therapies such as NSAIDs and triptans are helpful to reduce migraine relapse, identify, avoid migraine triggers and finally avoid medication overuse(if acute drugs taken frequently worsen headache).

Is Migraine Treatment Covered by Insurance at PACE Hospitals?

Yes, migraine treatment may be covered under health insurance policies at PACE Hospitals, subject to policy terms and approval. While outpatient consultations and medications may depend on policy benefits, hospitalisation for severe migraine attacks or related complications is typically covered under private and corporate health plans.

At PACE Hospitals, patients can benefit from:

  • Cashless hospitalization facilities with empaneled insurance providers
  • Assistance from a dedicated insurance and TPA coordination team
  • Pre-authorization support and documentation guidance
  • Transparent cost estimates before admission
  • Support for government health schemes where applicable

Coverage depends on outpatient coverage clauses, waiting periods, sum insured limits, and policy inclusions. Patients are encouraged to share insurance details in advance so the hospital’s insurance desk can verify eligibility and streamline approvals.