Even if it’s a relatively common condition (10 million reported doctor visits for migraine complaint), doctors have a hard time diagnosing migraine. There is really no precise way of diagnosing migraines in West Orange. The approach doctors use to diagnose this condition is to perform procedures and use questionnaires to rule out other illnesses and diseases that also produce the same symptoms and signs. Diagnosing migraines is so difficult that only about 50% of individuals who fit the description of migraines have been verifiably diagnosed with the condition. Based on your symptoms, doctors will utilize various kinds of tests Therefore, depending on your migraine symptoms, doctors may use a range of tests to come up with a diagnosis of migraine.
One approach physicians utilize is to induce a migraine on the patient so that the physician may observe the patient’s migraine symptoms. This approach is called the “migraine provoking test.” This test entails the patient doing some activity that will trigger his migraine. This can be the taking of medicines that trigger his migraine or eating foods like chocolates that cause him a migraine.
Questionnaires – Some doctors use an assessment or questionnaire to help them come up with a migraine diagnosis for the patient. Some of the questions you may see in the questionnaire may include:
Angiography – There are doctors who will use a diagnostic test called angiography to diagnose migraines and other type of head problems. Angiography is a type of X-ray exam where a catheter is inserted into the elbow or groin of the patient and is pushed up to the blood vessels of his neck or head. A dye is also introduced into the blood and a camera known as a fluoroscope takes pictures of the dyed blood flowing in the neck and head. This test is also used to detect clots, aneurysms, as well as narrowing arteries.
X-ray- An x-ray test is done to ascertain whether unknown injuries in the head are causing the migraine symptoms.
Chemistry screen – This is a test to determine if you have specific substances in your bloodstream to identify imbalances that may be causing symptoms of migraines.
Other diagnostic tests may be performed which will be based on the symptoms you are showing. Keeping a journal or diary of your migraine symptoms and attacks are therefore important in helping the doctor determine whether or not you suffer from migraine headaches.