Ocular migraines and stroke are two conditions that share similar symptoms and can often be confused. Although an ocular migraine alone does not indicate a stroke, studies show that those who suffer from ocular migraines may be at a higher risk of experiencing a stroke.
Common triggers include stress, hormonal changes, bright/flashing lights, drinking alcohol (red wine), changes in the weather, skipping meals/not eating enough, or too much or too little sleep.
Scientists believe that ocular migraines have a genetic origin, but also that reduced blood flow to the eyes or spasms of blood vessels in the eye may cause them. Migraine auras are even more mysterious, with some experts indicating that they have something to do with electrical or chemical impulses in the brain.
If you have migraine with aura, you're about twice as likely to have an ischaemic stroke in your lifetime, compared to those without migraine. However, the overall risk linked to migraine is still very low, and you're far more likely to have a stroke because of other risk factors like smoking and high blood pressure.
See your doctor immediately if you have new signs and symptoms of migraine with aura, such as temporary vision loss, speech or language difficulty, and muscle weakness on one side of your body. Your doctor will need to rule out more-serious conditions, such as a stroke.
The exact cause of an uptick in migraine attacks with aura is not fully understood. However, auras have been linked to environmental triggers, hormonal changes, and neurological conditions such as stroke or traumatic brain injury. If you experience a sudden increase in migraine attacks with aura, talk with your doctor.
Usually, brain tumor headaches are described as headaches with features more similar to ten- sion-type headaches than to migraines. therefore, it is strongly suggestive that the mechanism of spreading depression can initiate the symptoms of visual aura even in occipital brain tumors.
Stress is a common trigger of migraine headaches, including ocular migraine headaches. Since anxiety causes stress, anxiety is a common cause of migraine headaches, including ocular migraine headaches.
A visual migraine is a temporary visual distortion that often begins with a small sparkling, shimmering area that slowly expands outward. The growing spot often has jagged, zig-zag edges. The visual symptoms typically last approximately 20-30 minutes and then completely resolve.
Possible triggers for ocular migraines
Low blood sugar levels. High blood pressure (hypertension) Dehydration.
Common migraine “triggers” that can cause a susceptible person to have a migraine or ocular migraine attack include certain foods, such as red wine, alcohol, aged cheeses, caffeine, nitrates (often found in smoked or cured meats, hot dogs, and other processed foods), and chocolate.
If the vision problem is just in one eye, then it is an ocular migraine. If it is in both eyes, then it is a visual migraine. The most common symptom associated with ocular migraines is a gradual appearance of a blind spot that affects your field of vision.
Increased or decreased vision changes? With migraine you see it, with stroke you don't. Someone having a migraine with aura will experience added visual stimuli, such as flashing lights or zigzagging lines. A stroke, on the other hand, typically diminishes vision.
Migraine headaches and brain aneurysms can sometimes share some symptoms. It's rare, but an aneurysm that is large or growing can push on nerves or tissue and cause migraine-like symptoms, including: Headaches. Pain above or behind the eyes.
Types of visual migraine, or ocular migraine, include migraine with aura and retinal migraine. Both of these are neurological conditions wherein a person may experience visual disturbances or vision loss alongside a headache.
Some options for relief without drugs can include resting your eyes, removing yourself from bright sunlight or other harsh lighting, and taking a break from looking at a screen.
Ocular Migraine Treatment
The visual portion of an ocular migraine usually lasts less than 60 minutes, so most people don't need treatment. It's best to stop what you're doing and rest your eyes until your vision goes back to normal. If you have a headache, take a pain reliever that your doctor recommends.
Research suggests that the answer is yes. Migraines can cause lesions, which are areas of damage to the brain.
Ocular migraines are rare, but researchers don't know how rare they are due to a lack of reporting. Migraines, in general, affect about 18% of women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) and 6.5% of men and people assigned male at birth (AMAB). Not everyone who has migraines experiences ocular migraines.
Aura is generally harmless. The visual disturbances may temporarily interfere with certain daily activities such as reading or driving, but the condition usually is not considered serious. It has been noted, however, that aura may be associated with a small increased risk of stroke (cerebral infarction) in women.
Although uncomfortable, migraine aura isn't dangerous. However, it can mimic symptoms of other serious conditions, such as stroke. Therefore, it's important to seek medical care if you think something suspicious is going on.
In migrainous strokes, the migraine must occur with aura. Aura is a set of symptoms preceding the migraine, such as flashes of light or tingling in the face or hands. Migrainous strokes are rare and account for only 0.8 percent of all strokes.
Urgent advice: Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if: You have a migraine and: it's lasted longer than 72 hours. aura symptoms last longer than an hour at a time.
Retinal migraines are more likely to be triggered by other factors: intense exercise, dehydration, low blood sugar, high blood pressure, hot temperatures, and tobacco use. Certain foods can trigger both types of visual migraines: Red wine or other alcohol. Food and drink with caffeine (also, caffeine withdrawal)