The information on this page is based on lived experience and publicly available research. Migraine is a complex neurological condition, and if symptoms are severe or persistent it is important to seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.
Migraine
Migraine is often thought of as “just headaches,” but many people experience migraine as a spectrum disorder.
For some people, migraine involves recurring headaches. For others, it may include symptoms such as dizziness, sensory sensitivity, fatigue, brain fog, nausea, or nervous system overload.
In our family we noticed that migraine-like symptoms sometimes appeared alongside other conditions such as hypermobility, ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, and autism.
This is one reason we began exploring how these conditions might connect through sensitive regulatory systems.
Migraine as a Spectrum
Migraine can affect many systems in the body, not just the head.
Common features may include:
• headaches or head pressure
• light or sound sensitivity
• smell sensitivity
• nausea or digestive upset
• dizziness or balance issues
• fatigue or post-exertional symptoms
• brain fog or difficulty concentrating
• changes in mood or energy
Some people experience episodic migraine, while others experience chronic migraine or migraine-related symptoms without severe headaches.
How Migraine Links to ALPIMS
Many migraine symptoms involve the regulatory systems described in the ALPIMS framework.
Autonomic
The nervous system can become more reactive to stress, temperature, or activity.
Pain
Migraine involves changes in how the brain processes pain signals.
Immune
Inflammation and mast cell activity can sometimes influence migraine symptoms.
Mood
Stress and emotional load can affect migraine thresholds.
Sensory
Many people with migraine experience strong sensitivity to light, sound, smell, or movement.
Because these systems interact with each other, migraine may sometimes appear alongside other spectrum conditions.
Migraine and Overlapping Conditions
Researchers increasingly recognise that migraine often overlaps with other conditions, including:
• hypermobility spectrum disorders
• ME/CFS
• fibromyalgia
• irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• autonomic disorders such as POTS
• sensory processing differences
These patterns helped us understand why similar symptoms appeared across several members of our family.
You can read more about this idea on our page about Overlapping Spectrum Conditions.
What Helped in Our Family
Everyone’s experience is different, but some simple strategies that helped reduce migraine load in our family included:
• spacing activities across the day
• protecting sleep routines
• reducing sensory overload
• simplifying schedules
• identifying personal triggers
• allowing time for recovery after busy days
Small adjustments often made a bigger difference than we expected.
Resources
If you would like to learn more about migraine, these organisations provide helpful information:
• Migraine Trust
• American Migraine Foundation
• National Headache Foundation
