Migraine

Description

A primary headache disorder, in most cases episodic. Disabling attacks lasting 4-72 hours are characterised by moderate or severe headache, usually accompanied by nausea, vomiting and/or photophobia and phonophobia, and sometimes preceded by a short-lasting aura of unilateral fully-reversible visual, sensory or other central nervous system symptoms. In a small minority of cases headache, but not necessarily the associated symptoms, becomes very frequent, with loss of episodicity. [1]

Subcategories

• 8A80.0 Migraine without aura

  Recurrent headache disorder manifesting in attacks lasting 4-72 hours. The duration of attacks may be shorter in children. Typical characteristics of the headache are unilateral location, pulsating quality, moderate or severe intensity, aggravation by routine physical activity and association with nausea and/or photophobia and phonophobia. [1]

  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: 1. unilateral location 2. pulsating quality 3. moderate or severe pain intensity 4. aggravation by or causing avoidance of routine physical activity (eg, walking or climbing stairs) D. During headache at least one of the following: 1. nausea and/or vomiting 2. photophobia and phonophobia8 E. Not attributed to another disorder

• 8A80.1 Migraine with aura

  Recurrent attacks, lasting minutes, of unilateral fully-reversible visual, sensory or other central nervous system symptoms that usually develop gradually and are usually followed by headache and associated migraine symptoms. [1]

  Diagnostic criteria: A. At least 2 attacks fulfilling criteria B and C B. One or more of the following fully reversible aura symptoms: visual, sensory, speech, motor, brain stem or retinal symptoms C. At least 2 of the following 3 characteristics 1. At least one aura symptom spreads gradually over 5 minutes or more, or, 2 or more symptoms occur in succession 2. Each single aura symptom lasts 5 to 60 min 3. At least one aura symptom is half sided 4. The aura is accompanied or followed by headache. A possible lag phase lasts maximally 60 min D. Not attributed to another disorder

• 8A80.2 Chronic migraine

  Headache occurring on 15 or more days per month for more than three months, which, on at least eight days per month, has the features of migraine headache and is not associated with medication overuse. [1]

  A. Headache (migraine-like or tension-type-like) on 15 or more days per month for more than 3 months, and fulfilling criteria B and C.

  B. Occurring in a patient who has had at least five attacks fulfilling criteria B-D for 'Migraine without aura' and/or criteria B and C for 'Migraine with aura'

  C. On 8 or more days per month for more than 3 months, fulfilling any of the following: 1. criteria C and D for 'Migraine without aura' 2. criteria B and C for 'Migraine with aura' 3. believed by the patient to be migraine at onset and relieved by a triptan or ergot derivative

  D. Not better accounted for by another diagnosis

• 8A80.3 Complications related to migraine
• 8A80.4 Cyclic vomiting syndrome

  Recurrent episodic attacks, usually stereotypical in the individual patient, of vomiting and intense nausea. Attacks are associated with pallor and lethargy. There is complete resolution of symptoms between attacks. [1]

  A. At least 5 attacks fulfilling criteria B and C

  B. Episodic attacks, stereotypical in the individual patient, of intense nausea and vomiting lasting from 1 hour to 5 days

  C. Vomiting during attacks occurs at least 4 times/hour for at least 1 hour

  D. Symptom-free between attacks

  E. Not attributed to another disorder

Coded elsewhere

• Headache, not elsewhere classified (MB4D)

References

1. World Health Organization. International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision, for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics (ICD-11 MMS), 2026-01 release. World Health Organization; 2026.

WHO text reproduced without changes from the WHO ICD-11 API. © World Health Organization, licensed under CC BY-ND 3.0 IGO. View this entry in the WHO ICD-11 browser.