Tele-triage for Migraine

Audience: adult

Migraines are intense headaches that often come with symptoms like nausea, light sensitivity, and throbbing pain. Telemedicine can help you understand your migraine symptoms and decide the best next steps. Through a virtual visit, healthcare providers can assess your symptoms, suggest treatments, and guide you on managing migraines. However, some migraine symptoms may require in-person care to rule out serious conditions. This guide explains when tele-triage is suitable, what signs need urgent attention, and how to prepare for your tele-visit. Remember, telemedicine offers convenient access to care but is not a replacement for emergency or in-person evaluations when needed.

Red flags — go in person / ER

• Sudden, severe headache unlike any before — seek emergency care immediately.
• Headache accompanied by fever, stiff neck, confusion, weakness, or vision changes — urgent in-person evaluation needed.
• Headache after a recent head injury — go to emergency services right away.

What telemedicine can do

• Assessment of typical migraine symptoms and history.
• Guidance on medication use and lifestyle changes.
• Monitoring response to migraine treatments.
• Providing education about migraine triggers and management.

What telemedicine cannot do

• Evaluating new, severe, or unusual headache symptoms needing physical examination.
• Diagnosing or managing headaches with neurological deficits or systemic symptoms.
• Performing imaging or laboratory tests.
• Emergency treatment for life-threatening conditions presenting as headache.

What is Tele-triage for Migraine?

Tele-triage means assessing your migraine symptoms through a virtual visit, such as a video call or phone call. A healthcare provider will ask about your headache patterns, severity, and other symptoms. This helps determine if your migraine can be managed remotely or if you need to see a doctor in person for further tests or treatment.

Common Migraine Symptoms Assessed via Telemedicine

During tele-triage, providers often evaluate symptoms like:

This information helps guide safe and effective care recommendations.

When to Seek In-Person Care

Some migraine symptoms may signal a more serious condition and require urgent in-person evaluation. These include:

If you experience these signs, seek emergency care immediately.

Preparing for Your Telemedicine Visit

To make the most of your tele-visit:

This helps your provider assess your condition effectively.

After Your Telemedicine Visit

Following your tele-visit, you may be advised to:

Always follow your provider’s instructions carefully.

How to prepare for your tele-visit

• Choose a quiet, private space with good lighting for your tele-visit.
• Have a list of your migraine symptoms, including onset, duration, and severity.
• Prepare a list of current medications and any treatments you have tried.
• Note any migraine triggers or factors that affect your headaches.
• Ensure your device is charged and has a stable internet or phone connection.

After your tele-visit

• Follow the treatment plan and medication advice given by your provider.
• Keep a headache diary to track frequency, severity, and triggers.
• Schedule follow-up tele-visits if symptoms do not improve or worsen.
• Seek immediate in-person care if red-flag symptoms develop.
• Adopt recommended lifestyle changes to reduce migraine frequency.

FAQs

Can telemedicine diagnose a migraine?

Telemedicine providers can often assess your symptoms and history to suggest that you have migraines. However, a formal diagnosis may sometimes require in-person evaluation or tests to rule out other causes.

What should I do if my headache suddenly becomes very severe?

A sudden, severe headache unlike any you've had before is a medical emergency. You should seek immediate in-person care or emergency services as this could indicate a serious condition.

Can I get migraine medications through telemedicine?

Many healthcare providers can prescribe or adjust migraine medications during a tele-visit if appropriate. However, some medications may require in-person assessment or monitoring.

How can I prepare for my telemedicine migraine visit?

Prepare by noting your symptoms, headache history, current medications, and any triggers. Find a quiet place with good lighting and a reliable internet or phone connection for your visit.

When should I follow up after a telemedicine visit for migraine?

Follow up if your symptoms do not improve, worsen, or if you develop new symptoms. Your provider will advise you on the appropriate timing for follow-up care.

Sources

1. Migraine — MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
2. Migraine Overview — Mayo Clinic.
3. Headache Information — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
4. Migraine Treatment and Management — Merck Manuals Consumer Version.

This telemedicine guidance is for educational and triage purposes only and is not a substitute for in-person medical care. If you experience severe or concerning symptoms, seek immediate medical attention from a healthcare professional.