Hemaplegic migraines are uncommon, but a first experience with one can be quite frightening--not only for the person experiencing the migraine, but for their family and friends as well. A hemaplegic migraine generally mimics some of the same symptoms as stroke. It can affect speech, sight and/or bodily movement. Although this type of migraine is generally confined to one side of the body, that isn’t always the case. It might affect one side during one episode and another during a subsequent event. Because a hemaplegic migraine isn’t easily diagnosed by a physician without expertise in neurology, it can cause a great deal of panic and lead to unnecessary testing (and in some instances, even improper treatment). All of this confusion can making living with hemaplegic migraines quite a challenge.
Instructions
1. Determine that what you or your loved one is experiencing are indeed hemaplegic migraines. This will likely require a visit to a neurologist for one or more tests, including a CAT scan, an MRI, an EEG and/or a Trans-Cranal Doppler. In some instances, the physician may even have to induce a migraine to get a clear picture of what is happening inside the patient’s brain at the time of the event.
2. Identify the relevant migraine triggers. While there are some triggers that are common across many migraines, they can vary from patient to patient. To discern what they are, a physician may request that the patient keep a migraine diary to record everything that happened directly before, during and following a hemaplegic migraine. By doing this over a period of time, the patient and physician are often able to discern a pattern of events, foods, drinks, weather changes and other factors that might be migraine triggers.
3. Because physicians are still not 100 percent sure what causes migraines, or even what they are, they also don’t all agree on treatments. Many doctors attempt a natural approach. Others prescribe medications that are designed to block the migraine at the source. Still others believe that stress reduction is the cure. They may assign patients to psychological or psychiatric treatment. All of these processes work for some migraine sufferers, but not across the board. In most cases, migraine treatments must be as individualized as the person who suffers from them.
4. Take the medications as prescribed, when prescribed. Beta or calcium blockers may be prescribed to block the migraine from happening. Medications may also be prescribed to treat the migraine once it starts. Hemaplegic migraines can affect how the muscles and nerves of the body function. For that reason, it is important to quickly reverse a headache. Allowing a migraine to linger for a long period of time (or a series of migraines to recur over a short period of time) could cause muscle and/or nerve damage. Finally, a doctor may prescribe medications to treat the symptoms of the migraine once it occurs. These might include painkillers, sleeping medications and/or nausea medication. Such medicines must be taken only as prescribed, and no more.
5. Be prepared for the migraine and avoid stress on nerves or muscles that are affected. For example, if the left side of the body shuts down, use a cane or walker to help support that side of the body during movement. If eyesight is affected, avoid driving or using any type of equipment that might result in injury. If speech is affected, keep a pencil and paper handy so the sufferer can write out the message she needs to convey.
6. Exercise weakened muscles. Since hemaplegic migraines often affect certain muscles of the body, it is important to exercise them to get them back to normal strength. A physician may prescribe a certain type of physical therapy if the muscle damage is severe. Otherwise, he may leave the method of exercise to the patient, relying on the individual’s willpower to counteract any damage.
7. Seek immediate medical attention in the event of a change in normal migraine reactions. New symptoms or severe changes in how the migraine progresses could provide a major warning signal that something else is going on.
Tags: hemaplegic migraine, period time, side body, block migraine, hemaplegic migraines