Migraine

Migraine is a recurring headache disorder that can cause severe pain, nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and sometimes an aura. An aura can, for example, involve visual phenomena, numbness, or speech problems before the headache occurs.

Most migraines do not need to be investigated with an MRI. The diagnosis is often based on the symptoms, recurring patterns and medical assessment. However, a brain MRI may be appropriate when the headache is new, has changed significantly or when there are symptoms that do not fit with previous migraine patterns.

The purpose of MRI is then not to confirm migraine, but to examine the brain and rule out other structural causes that may need to be assessed further.

A brain MRI may be appropriate if the headache comes on suddenly, gets progressively worse, is different from previous migraines, or if it occurs together with neurological symptoms. It may also be relevant if you develop new headaches later in life or if the headaches are affected by coughing, exertion, or body position.

In cases of recurrent migraines with a typical pattern, MRI is often not the first step. However, if the symptoms are difficult to interpret, if the aura changes, or if you have other symptoms such as visual disturbances, numbness, dizziness, or balance problems, imaging diagnostics may be part of the investigation.

An important part of the assessment is whether the symptoms are new, whether they are recurring, whether they are getting stronger over time, or whether they occur together with other neurological problems. Such information helps the doctor decide whether imaging is warranted and which examination is most appropriate.

Brain MRI can show structural changes in the brain and surrounding tissues. This may include signs of previous or current vascular involvement, inflammatory changes, changes suspected of being a tumor, fluid changes, effects after injury, or other findings that need to be assessed further.

Not all findings indicate serious illness. Some changes are benign, some are age-related, and others need to be followed up or supplemented with other examinations. Therefore, the radiological report and the review with a specialist are an important part of the whole.

Some conditions are better assessed with other methods, such as blood tests, neurological examination, eye examination, acute CT scan or other targeted tests. Therefore, MRI brain should be seen as part of a medical assessment, not as a stand-alone guarantee.

Headaches can be caused by many things, such as tension headaches, sinus problems, vision problems, medications, lack of sleep, high blood pressure, or stress. Neurological diseases are less common but need to be considered when symptoms are abnormal or increasing.

In migraine-like symptoms, it is therefore important to describe whether the symptoms are recurring in the same way or if something has changed. A changing headache may need to be assessed differently than a well-known migraine.

It is often the combination of symptoms, time course, age, previous illnesses, medications and findings during clinical examination that determines the next step. MRI can provide important imaging information, but the results always need to be put into context.

Certain neurological symptoms should be assessed urgently and should not wait for a scheduled private MRI scan. This applies in particular to sudden weakness in the face, arm or leg, difficulty speaking, acute confusion, sudden severe headache, seizures, impaired consciousness or rapid deterioration of general condition.

If you experience such symptoms, you should contact emergency care immediately. A planned brain MRI via Prevcare is intended for non-urgent situations where you want to have your brain examined with an MRI and have the results assessed by a radiologist.

You can find the current price and book directly on the MRI brain page . The examination can be booked privately without a referral via Prevcare.

The examination includes imaging with an MRI camera, radiological examination, written report and review with a specialist. If the results show findings that need to be followed up, Prevcare can help you further with a referral if necessary.

If the question does not only concern the brain but you want to examine several parts of the body preventively, a whole-body MRI may be an alternative. However, in cases of clear symptoms from the brain, a targeted brain MRI is often more relevant.