How are migraines classified?

Migraines are classified based on specific criteria and subtypes. According to Elena Gross on the High Intensity Health, here are the primary migraine subtypes:

1. Vestibular Migraine: Characterized by issues with spatial orientation, causing a sensation of falling and clumsiness.
2. Migraine with Aura: Involves visual disturbances such as scotomas (flickering light spots) before the migraine starts.
3. Migraine without Aura: Lacks the visual disturbances before the headache phase.
4. Chronic vs. Episodic: Chronic migraines occur more frequently, affecting sufferers on 15 or more days per month, while episodic migraines occur less frequently.
5. Menstrual Migraine: Triggered by hormonal changes before menstruation.

classification systems can include secondary factors such as the presence of nausea, photophobia (sensitivity to light), or phonophobia (sensitivity to sound) 1 . Additionally, Erin Updyke mentions specific diagnostic criteria that must be met, including experiencing at least two of the following: unilateral (one-sided) pain, throbbing pain, moderate to severe intensity, worsening with physical activity. The classification is further refined based on duration, which ranges from 4 to 72 hours and includes a recovery phase 2 .

These classifications help in managing and understanding migraines, their triggers, and potential treatments even in the absence of concrete biomarkers 3 .