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Basilar Migraine
Basilar Migraine has been described as a headache that has the same symptoms as aura headache which affects more teen females, young women. These are usually visual disturbances, dizziness, ringing in the ears, trouble focusing, uncertinity, dillema, inaudible speech and irritation on both or one side of body. The aura typically lasts for less than an hour, during which few patients slip into unconsciousness state and others assume that the patient could be sufferring due to the effect of medicines or due to any other health reason. The pain which tags on after this is classic of migraine headache, hence on a positive side, aura can give an indication or warning of the commencement of a severe headache before it comes down with full force. This topic will review the health complications, treatments of Basilar Migraine and its triggers.
Health Complications
A stroke is the most serious health complications of a basilar migraine. The occurrence of such migraines is often before a very serious condition known as basilar artery stroke. Tinnitus is another health complication of such a migraine, however, it is not as serious, involving hearing noises in the ears such as ringing, clicking, whistling, or hissing, eventually leading to hearing loss in some. Ataxia is another possible complication which is characterised by the loss of muscle control.
Triggers
Cheese and wine are considered common food triggers, as well as food additives such as nitrites, primarily found in processed meats. Maintaining a food diary and noting the foods consumed on a day when a basilar migraine occurs can be helpful.
Treatment
This type of migraine is not very frequently found in patients, hence the actual cause of such a migraine is still very fuzzy. Because of its rarity, it has not received a good amount of study and importance. There are no special kind of medication for this migraine and whatever methods of medication is used in treating other types of migraine ,the same is advised for curing this type of migraine. Generally patients prefer to rest in absolute dark isolated rooms which helps them get some relief from the severe pain. Also, the throbbing, severe pain can be relaxed maybe by trying icy cold wet cloth placed on the forehead.
Alcohol consumption can worsen basilar migraines, avoiding or limiting its intake can prevent if not reduce it. Since this type of migraine may lead to a stroke, doctor’s check out patients on other reasons which can otherwise cause stroke.
Stroke being a possibility of basilar migraines, patients are advised to stop the usage of cigarette and pills that are used for birth control, as these place the patient at on a high hazardous situation of paralysis. If this kind of headache occurs regularly with intense pain then the doctors may recommend consulting a neurologist. Another symptom of basilar migraine of basilar migraine is that the patient will be in an unconscious state and this can force doctors to probe into it further rather than just considering it a migraine as such a symptom could be due to seizures too.
Biofeedback is suggested to be the next substitute of medication to cure this type of migraine which involves the inner functioning of the body to measured which allows active healing of such migraines. Basically, the facts are not yet unreliable but it is important to look out for other treatments that have been more successful. Migraines triggered by food are a concern and hence the patients must be very careful regarding what they eat and totally avoid consuming food items that may cause such headaches.
Conclusions
The symptoms of Basilar Migraine are somewhat similar to other serious conditions, hence it is very essential that its diagnosis is definitive and correct. Imaging studies such as a Cat-Scan or MRI are performed to rule out the other causes of the symptoms, and an EEG is performed to rule out seizure possibilities. Seeking a second opinion when not satisfied with the doctor is advised, also going to a migraine specialist can make a lot of difference in its diagnosis. Last but not the least, it is essential to strictly follow the treatment recommended to reduce the occurrence of basilar migraine.