Migraines: diagnosis, management and red flags

Migraine is one of the leading causes of disability within the UK. With no current prehospital research specifically covering migraines, it is paramount that clinicians are made aware of the different types of migraines, symptoms, pathophysiology (which can mimic other conditions) and the reasons behind the importance of history taking and clinical assessment. Several main findings covered would benefit both patients and prehospital clinicians in dealing with migraines. Studies conducted in Ireland, using triptans, antiemetics and paracetamol showed a 50.8% benefit to symptoms, suggesting that triptans could be the way forward for use in prehospital care. It was also found that paramedics having a specialist skill set in dealing with and managing patients with migraine could result in 16 500 fewer hospital admissions per year.