When is telemedicine consultation recommended for migraine?

Explain where the pain is, how it feels, how quickly it developed, how long attacks last, and whether nausea, light sensitivity, sound sensitivity, or visual symptoms occur. Tell the clinician whether this episode matches previous attacks and list medicines, doses, and their effect. A remote review can support an established pattern, but a new or changing headache may need a neurological examination.

Keep a headache diary with triggers, sleep, meals, fluids, menstrual timing when relevant, symptoms, and medicines taken. During an attack, rest in a quiet dark room and drink fluids if able. Follow the clinician’s plan and avoid taking acute headache medicines more often than advised, because frequent use can contribute to medication-overuse headache. Discuss prevention if attacks are disrupting work, sleep, or daily activities.

Seek emergency care for a sudden severe headache, new weakness or numbness, trouble speaking, fainting, confusion, seizure, stiff neck with fever, or new vision loss. Prompt assessment is also needed after a head injury, during pregnancy when the headache is unusual, or when a headache is steadily worsening or unlike your established migraine.

Ask whether your symptoms fit migraine, which acute treatment is suitable, how to recognise medication overuse, whether prevention is worth discussing, and which changes require an in-person examination.