Most people who get migraines realize that the next day or two will not be a fun experience, but no one expects to die from the pain. Unfortunately, tragedy struck a family recently when a mother of four though she was experiencing a severe migraine but it turned out to be a brain aneurysm that killed her. In light of this recent event, we’re going to compare the symptoms of a migraine with the symptoms of an aneurysm. We’ll also discuss a natural form of migraine relief.

Is It a Migraine or a Deadly Aneurysm?

A migraine is a neurological condition that often presents with a severe headache, nausea, and sensory sensitivity (although many other symptoms are possible). A brain aneurysm occurs when there is a weakness in the wall of a blood vessel in the brain that causes it to bulge. If the bulge bursts, the ensuing hemorrhaging can result in brain damage and death. What distinguishes the two?

• Speed of Onset – Migraines often build up slowly over the course of hours or even a couple of days. One may experience neck pain, visual symptoms, irritability, sensitivity to cold, bowel and bladder problems, fatigue, confusion, and more. Aneurysm pain comes on instantly and is often described as a thunderclap.
• Pain Level – Migraine pain can be moderate to severe. However, aneurysm pain goes to the next level. Even for a migraine sufferer, an aneurysm would still feel like the worst headache of a person’s life.

Both conditions can cause blurred vision, neck pain, and speech problems, so the speed of onset and level of pain are the primary distinguishing factors.

Coping with Migraines

Fortunately, aneurysms are pretty rare, and hopefully no one you know will ever have to deal with one. Migraines, however, are extremely common. About 12% of adults get migraines. An often-overlooked underlying cause is a misalignment of the atlas (C1 vertebra). This bone at the top of the neck can affect everything from brainstem function to proper drainage of cerebrospinal fluid should it become misaligned.

Upper cervical chiropractors use precise diagnostic techniques and extremely gentle adjustments to identify and correct this issue. For many, it has led to fewer migraine problems or even complete resolution of migraines. To learn more, schedule a consultation with an upper cervical chiropractor near you.

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