The article discusses the common yet often inadequately diagnosed condition of migraines, pointing out that many patients endure years of unexplained headaches before receiving a proper diagnosis. It introduces a series of articles dedicated to understanding the delays in migraine diagnosis and explores the reasons behind this issue. The first article in the series aims to address the questions surrounding the long diagnosis times, what is overlooked in the process, and what changes need to occur in perspectives towards migraines, underscoring their impact on individuals' lives.

The series highlights that migraines manifest differently across various age groups, often leading to misattributions of symptoms to other conditions. To expedite diagnosis, both patients and healthcare professionals must adjust their perspectives. Patients and their caretakers are encouraged to consider that recurring unexplained symptoms like severe abdominal pain in children or sensitivity to light and noise in middle-aged women could be linked to migraines. Additionally, cognitive symptoms in older adults—such as memory issues or chronic fatigue—should prompt discussions about potential migraine involvement rather than solely attributing them to age or stress.

Healthcare providers are urged to take a comprehensive view of patients' symptoms, looking beyond the immediate complaints to consider their medical history and family background. By actively utilizing diagnostic criteria related to abdominal migraines and vestibular migraines in clinical practice, healthcare professionals can improve the timely identification and treatment of migraine conditions. This change in approach aims not only to alleviate pain but also to recognize migraines as conditions that significantly alter people's lives and choices.