B. Phonophobia – Explanation
Phonophobia occurs in around three-quarters of patients.
Migraine: diagnostic criteria
The International Headache Society has produced the following diagnostic criteria for migraine
without aura:
| A | At least 5 attacks fulfilling criteria B-D |
| B | Headache attacks lasting 4-72 hours* (untreated or unsuccessfully treated) |
| C | Headache has at least two of the following characteristics:
|
| D | During headache at least one of the following:
|
| E | Not attributed to another disorder (history and examination do not suggest a secondary headache disorder or, if they do, it is ruled out by appropriate investigations or headache attacks do not occur for the first time in close temporal relation to the other disorder) |
*In children, attacks may be shorter-lasting, headache is more commonly bilateral, and
gastrointestinal disturbance is more prominent.
Migraine with aura (around 1 in 3 migraine patients) tends to be easier to diagnose with a typical
aura being progressive in nature and may occur hours prior to the headache. Typical aura include a
transient hemianopic disturbance or a
spreading scintillating scotoma (‘jagged crescent’). Sensory symptoms may also occur
