Hemiplegic migraines can cause confusing and scary symptoms for a person. The symptoms of these migraines are like stroke in many ways. In fact, the world hemiplegic itself means experiencing paralysis on one side of the body. What are some of the other symptoms of a hemiplegic migraine? Are there other similarities between migraines and stroke? Will migraines cause a stroke to occur? Can you find natural help for your migraines? We will address the answers to these questions in our article.
While some of the symptoms of hemiplegic migraines are the same as other forms of this neurological condition, others are unique to this specific type of migraine.
The general migraine symptoms that a patient may experience include:
Here are some of the symptoms that set this rare form of migraine apart from the rest:
These are the symptoms that can be really worrying because this type of migraine is like stroke in many ways. Since stroke is an emergency medical condition and minutes can make the difference when it comes to survival and long-term effects for survivors, it is crucial to know the difference. Before we continue discussing migraines, let’s look at the symptoms of a stroke so you know when it is time to call 911.
The medical community uses the acronym FAST to help people remember the symptoms to watch out for and how to respond to stroke:
Once again, this symptoms list highlights the similarities between a hemiplegic migraine and stroke. Thus, you may wonder, can a migraine cause a stroke? Let’s address this question next.
Can a person experience a stroke during a migraine? Yes. Is there any evidence that the migraine is what causes the stroke to occur? Very little, if any. It doesn’t seem that migraine triggers a stroke. Since there is a great deal of overlap in symptoms, it is up to each person to decide when it is time to call for medical assistance (or someone with you, if you are unable to call for help yourself). The main difference is that stroke symptoms come on suddenly and migraine symptoms usually begin gradually.
If you are experiencing migraines regularly, especially if you have neck pain or a history of head or neck trauma, there may be a natural way to get some help. We will address this natural therapy next.
Whether you suffer from hemiplegic migraines or a more common form of this neurological condition, upper cervical chiropractic may be able to provide some assistance. This specific form of chiropractic care focuses on the top two bones in the neck, the C1 and C2 vertebrae. Misalignments in this sensitive area can cause all sorts of neurological issues.
For example, the cervical spine is responsible for facilitating blood flow to the brain. Even slight misalignments may affect the amount of oxygen your brain is receiving, and that can result in many different symptoms. Another impact can be inhibition of proper brainstem function. This is because the C1 (atlas) surrounds the brainstem, right at the sensitive area where it meets the spinal cord. Misalignments may even lead to increased intracranial pressure if they prevent cerebrospinal fluid from draining properly.
Upper cervical chiropractors use diagnostic imaging to precisely measure upper cervical misalignments. Then we use gentle and safe adjustments to correct this underlying issue that can contribute to migraines. For some patients, this leads to fewer and less severe migraines or even a complete resolution of the problem. To learn if this is the right solution for you, contact a practitioner in your local area today.
The content and materials provided in this web site are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to supplement or comprise a medical diagnosis or other professional opinion, or to be used in lieu of a consultation with a physician or competent health care professional for medical diagnosis and/or treatment. All content and materials including research papers, case studies and testimonials summarizing patients' responses to care are intended for educational purposes only and do not imply a guarantee of benefit. Individual results may vary, depending upon several factors including age of the patient, severity of the condition, severity of the spinal injury, and duration of time the condition has been present.