ALPIMS • Chronic migraine
Chronic migraine & the bigger health picture
Practical support for chronic migraine, with adaptations for other conditions, sensory needs and everyday capacity.
You do not need to explore every condition or change everything at once. Practical adjustments can sit alongside your individual migraine care plan.
Start here
Support that fits your whole situation
Living with chronic migraine can be more complicated when other conditions are present. This site includes tips for coexisting conditions—sometimes called comorbidities—and concerns that affect daily life.
Some conditions occur more often alongside migraine. Others share symptoms or change which supports are suitable. The aim is to make everyday support fit the person, alongside individual migraine care.
You can start with one need. You do not need to explore everything.
Looking wider
Migraine & your wider health picture
Choose an area that matters to you. Each popup explains the migraine connection, related conditions and what may help—with resource links. You only need to explore what fits.
Anxiety & autonomic
Dizziness, anxiety or symptoms that worsen when standing.
Open: more & resources Close ×
Anxiety & autonomic: notice the pattern
Migraine can include dizziness and nausea. Anxiety and autonomic conditions such as POTS may also coexist. Similar symptoms do not mean the diagnoses are interchangeable.
Conditions and concerns that may coexist
POTS / dysautonomia
Migraine commonly coexists with POTS. Dizziness, nausea and fatigue can overlap; symptoms that worsen on standing need their own assessment.
Anxiety
Anxiety can coexist with migraine. Body arousal or dizziness should not automatically be attributed to anxiety.
What may help
- Notice whether dizziness relates to standing, head movement or migraine episodes; explain the pattern to your clinician.
- Use seating, predictable plans and breaks when helpful. Follow an individual POTS plan rather than universal salt or fluid advice.
- Choose optional calming strategies that feel comfortable. They support coping and do not replace migraine or autonomic treatment.
Resources and further reading
Migraine Australia: coexisting conditions →
CCI Western Australia: anxiety resources →
Migraine, dizziness and autonomic support — Coming soon
Laxity & connective tissue
Hypermobility, joint support and comfortable positions.
Open: more & resources Close ×
Laxity & connective tissue: support comfortable movement
Migraine can coexist with hypermobility spectrum disorders or Ehlers–Danlos syndromes. This does not mean joint laxity is the cause of every headache.
Conditions and concerns that may coexist
Hypermobility / HSD / Ehlers–Danlos syndromes
Migraine can coexist with these conditions. Joint instability and comfortable positioning may need individual support; not every headache is caused by laxity.
What may help
- Try supported positions and adjust screen height or task setup to reduce discomfort.
- Seek individual physiotherapy advice if joint instability or persistent musculoskeletal pain affects daily life.
- Describe headaches that are new or strongly dependent on being upright to your clinician; do not assume they are ordinary migraine or neck tension.
Resources and further reading
The Ehlers-Danlos Society: hypermobility spectrum disorders →
Review: migraine, dysautonomia and hypermobility →
Migraine and hypermobility: everyday adaptations — Coming soon
Pain & bodily sensitivity
Other pain, fatigue and energy limits alongside migraine.
Open: more & resources Close ×
Pain & bodily sensitivity: migraine-specific care first
Migraine is a neurological condition. Fibromyalgia, jaw pain and other pain conditions can add to its burden; they may need separate assessment.
Conditions and concerns that may coexist
Fibromyalgia / persistent pain
These can coexist with migraine and add widespread pain, fatigue or sleep difficulties. Additional pain deserves its own assessment.
Jaw / TMJ pain
Jaw pain may add to head and facial discomfort. It is not automatically the cause of migraine.
ME/CFS with PEM
Migraine is reported frequently in ME/CFS. Delayed worsening after exertion—post-exertional malaise—needs its own energy-management approach. Do not apply fixed activity increases.
FND
Migraine commonly occurs alongside FND, but is not part of FND. Both need appropriate diagnosis and coordinated care; trauma is not required for FND.
What may help
- Discuss an acute and preventive migraine plan, including when to review frequent use of headache medicines.
- Make a comfortable rest space with tolerable light, sound and essentials within reach.
- Tell your clinician about widespread pain or jaw symptoms rather than assuming all pain comes from migraine.
- If ME/CFS is present, include physical, cognitive, sensory and social demands in your energy plan. Rest before exceeding your limits; do not push through PEM.
Resources and further reading
NICE: headache diagnosis and management →
NICE: ME/CFS and energy management →
Neurosymptoms: migraine alongside FND →
Rest, reduce demands and pace with migraine — Coming soon
Immune & inflammatory
Asthma, allergy, food concerns and environmental health.
Open: more & resources Close ×
Immune & inflammatory: keep individual conditions clear
Asthma and allergic rhinitis are recognised migraine comorbidities. Migraine involves neurobiological signalling, but migraine alone does not establish allergy, MCAS or another immune disorder.
Conditions and concerns that may coexist
Asthma / allergic rhinitis
Recognised migraine comorbidities. Breathing or allergic symptoms need their own action plan and treatment.
Food allergy, coeliac disease and food intolerance
These are distinct dietary concerns that can affect support needs. Migraine alone does not establish any of them. Individual migraine food triggers are a separate consideration.
Environmental concerns
Dampness and mould can affect respiratory and allergic health. Building-related symptoms do not by themselves establish allergy or toxic injury.
What may help
- Use prescribed asthma or allergy treatment and action plans alongside migraine care.
- Assess food allergy, intolerance and migraine triggers separately. Keep enough nourishment in view.
- Address dampness or irritating exposures sensibly. A symptom response does not by itself establish toxic injury.
Resources and further reading
National Asthma Council Australia →
EPA: building-related symptoms →
Migraine with allergy, asthma or environmental concerns — Coming soon
Mood & mental health
Mood, emotional wellbeing and support during difficult times.
Open: more & resources Close ×
Mood & mental health: care for wellbeing too
Anxiety, depression and PTSD can coexist with migraine. Chronic symptoms can affect relationships, confidence and enjoyment. Mental health support can sit alongside neurological care.
Conditions and concerns that may coexist
Depression / anxiety
These may coexist with migraine, while chronic illness can also affect mood, relationships and enjoyment. Support for wellbeing can accompany neurological care.
Trauma / PTSD
PTSD and migraine are associated. This does not establish that trauma caused an individual’s migraine. Predictability, consent and choices may make care more accessible.
What may help
- Ask for practical help and emotional support; needing support is not a personal failure.
- Choose small enjoyable or connecting activities that fit current capacity.
- Request clear explanations, consent before touch and choices in care. Relaxation exercises are optional, especially if they cause distress.
Resources and further reading
American Migraine Foundation: mental health and migraine →
Phoenix Australia: treatment and support →
Emotional wellbeing while living with migraine — Coming soon
Sensory & neurodevelopmental
Light, sound and smell sensitivity; autism and ADHD needs.
Open: more & resources Close ×
Sensory & neurodevelopmental: make support accessible
Migraine can increase sensitivity to light, sound and smell. Autism, ADHD, visual snow, hyperacusis or misophonia may bring additional needs; these are distinct experiences.
Conditions and concerns that may coexist
Autism / ADHD
Studies report an ADHD–migraine association; research on autism and migraine is developing. Sensory needs, planning and communication can affect access to support.
Visual Snow Syndrome
Persistent visual static differs from the usually temporary changes of migraine aura. Persistent or changing visual symptoms need appropriate assessment.
Hyperacusis / misophonia
Hyperacusis involves sound feeling too loud or uncomfortable; misophonia involves strong responses to specific sounds. Neither is interchangeable with migraine sound sensitivity.
Smell sensitivity
Odours may trigger migraine for some people, and increased smell sensitivity can also be a symptom of an attack.
ME/CFS sensory needs
Light, sound, cognitive and social demands may contribute to exertion. See the Pain & bodily sensitivity domain for PEM adaptations.
What may help
- Adjust lighting, screen brightness and background noise to a tolerable level. Avoid forcing painful exposure.
- Use short written steps, reminders and flexible meal routines if planning or attention is difficult.
- Discuss persistent visual static or sound sensitivity separately. Seek individual hearing advice about ear protection.
- Use appropriate protection for genuinely loud settings. For persistent hyperacusis, seek hearing advice; constant protection from everyday sounds may be counterproductive.
Resources and further reading
National Autistic Society: sensory processing →
Cleveland Clinic: visual snow syndrome →
Sensory comfort and accessible migraine support — Coming soon
Conditions may span several domains. ALPIMS helps organise support needs; it is not a diagnosis or a validated migraine treatment programme.
Care & treatment resources
Use professional care to discuss diagnosis, treatment options and changes in symptoms. This page focuses on practical support; it does not select medicines or replace your clinician’s advice.
Understand migraine
Start with reliable information about migraine and questions you want answered.
Migraine Australia →Review your care
Bring a list of medicines, what helps, difficulties with treatment and your main concern.
Questions about migraine treatment — Coming soon
Prepare for an appointment
Describe how symptoms affect eating, sleep, work, relationships and everyday tasks.
A migraine appointment summary — Coming soon
Rest • Reduce • Pace
What might make everyday life easier?
These are optional practical supports, not a treatment programme.
Rest & comfort
Make a comfortable place to pause, with essentials within reach and tolerable light and sound.
Rest with migraine — Coming soon
Reduce demands
Decide what can wait, become smaller or be shared with someone else.
Reducing load with migraine — Coming soon
Pace activities
Plan flexible tasks and breaks around your current capacity and care advice.
Planning activities with migraine — Coming soon
Meals & routines
Make familiar meals and everyday routines easier to manage within your dietary needs.
Eating with migraine & individual needs — Coming soon
Sensory comfort
Explore adjustments to uncomfortable light, noise or smells.
Sensory comfort with migraine — Coming soon
Support & participation
Ask for specific help and consider adjustments that make activities more accessible.
Explaining migraine support needs — Coming soon
Open: environment, building-related symptoms & migraine
Smells, fumes, heat, lighting or noise may aggravate migraine or contribute to separate symptoms. Smell sensitivity can also be part of a migraine attack.
Sick building syndrome describes symptoms such as headache, fatigue or eye and throat irritation associated with time in a building, often improving after leaving. It does not identify a specific disease or exposure. Building-related illness involves an identifiable illness linked to a building exposure.
Dampness and mould can affect respiratory and allergic health. Symptoms do not by themselves establish mould as the cause of chronic migraine or prove toxic injury. Environmental sensitivity deserves assessment alongside migraine and other possible causes.
One manageable step: notice a repeated place-related pattern, choose a practical adjustment and discuss persistent symptoms with your clinician. Address leaks, dampness or ventilation concerns with appropriate help.
- EPA: indoor air and building-related symptoms →
- CDC: mould and health →
- NIH Environmental Wellness Toolkit →
Urgent exception: if several people develop headache, nausea or dizziness around fuel-burning equipment, leave immediately and seek emergency help for possible carbon monoxide exposure. It is odourless. Call 000 in Australia if poisoning is suspected.
Migraine and building-related symptoms — Coming soon
Open: where ALPIMS fits
Migraine care remains the starting point. ALPIMS provides optional headings for considering pain, sensory needs, autonomic symptoms, immune concerns, mood and connective-tissue concerns when relevant.
The domains organise information; they are not a diagnostic checklist or evidence that every symptom has one cause.
Open: references and further reading
- American Migraine Foundation: coexisting conditions
- Research: migraine and ADHD in adults
- Pilot research: autism, sensory sensitivity and migraine
- Research: migraine in ME/CFS
- Review: dysautonomia and migraine
- Research: visual snow is distinct from persistent migraine aura
- Neurosymptoms: migraine alongside FND
- Research: smell sensitivity and reported odour triggers in migraine
- NIEHS: environmental health information
Studies vary in size and design. An association does not prove causation or determine an individual diagnosis.