Although most people
will have heard of migraines and even have a good idea
of what they are, many people will not be aware that
there are a number of different types of migraines and
one of the rarer forms of migraine is the hemiplegic
migraine. And hemiplegic migraines even come in two
variations – familial hemiplegic migraine (known
as FHM) and sporadic hemiplegic migraine (known as SHM).
Both of these conditions often begin in childhood
and then stop in the adult years. They can be difficult
to diagnose because there is no actual diagnostic
test available and migraine
symptoms can be confused with other conditions
such as a stroke and epilepsy. Both of these hemiplegic
migraines also share the same symptoms:
o There can be long periods of hemiplegic migraines
aura (days or even weeks)
o There can be paralysis on one side of the body or
only a part
o There can be numbness or a prickly feeling
o There can be a fever
o There can be the symptoms of meningitis without
the actual illness or accompanying inflammation –
this condition is called meningismus
o There can be impaired consciousness – this
could be confusion or even coma
o There can be headache beginning before the hemiplegia
o There can be Ataxia which is defective muscle coordination
o There can be nausea and/or vomiting
o There can be light and/or sound sensitivity
At the onset of hemiplegic migraines, the symptoms
may be so sudden that they seem like a stroke. The
paralysis on one side of the body can be frightening
since this is a common stroke symptom. The good news
is that the symptoms of a hemiplegic migraine are
usually gone within 24 hours
The big difference between the two varieties of hemiplegic
migraines is that the first - FHM - can be traced
back in the family history and has been linked to
mutations of specific genes on chromosomes 1 and 19,
while SHM has no familial connection and no connection
to that specific genetic mutation.
Hemiplegic Migraines Aura
An aura refers to an array of psychological or neurological
disturbances that occur shortly before a migraine
onset. Auras usually last 5 to 20 minutes and involve
symptoms such as vertigo (motion sickness or dizziness),
imbalance, confusion or numbness but most auras consist
of visual disturbances such as partial vision loss,
the appearance of special effects and the distortion
of objects. Sometimes the visual effects can be dramatic
with bright, flickering or flashing lights, complex
color patterns and shapes. There can be zigzag lines
or shimmering shapes.
Hemiplegic Migraine Care
If you suffer from hemiplegic migraine, it is a very
good idea to wear one of those identity bracelets
at all times which gives details of your condition.
Such identification can save valuable time in an emergency
and ensure that you get the correct treatment quickly
for your condition. This is especially important when
you consider that a hemiplegic migraine attack can
lead to possible unconscientousness as well as an
inability to speak.
The treatment of hemiplegic migraine can be difficult
as the symptoms are numerous and challenging to treat
and there are many migraine
triggers. If you suffer from hemiplegic migraines,
you need to learn all you can about the condition
so that you are able to help yourself as much as possible
and you need to seek the advice of a medical practitioner
who is experienced in dealing with this condition
so that you can get the best possible hemiplegics
migraine care.
Treatments such as NSAIDs, antiemetics and narcotic
analgesics are generally used for relief in hemiplegic
migraine care. These are considered the safest option
for now, but on going research continues for new
migraine medicine and medications.
It is helpful and important to use preventative medications,
and calcium channel blockers antidepressants or beta
blockers can be very effective preventative medications
for FHM.
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