Migraines with base of the skull as primary symptom: Signs, reasons, and remedies
Basilar migraine, a less common form of migraine, originates in the brainstem and can cause a range of unique symptoms. This condition, also known as basilar-type migraine or migraine with brainstem aura, shares some symptoms with other medical conditions such as seizures, brain tumors, meningitis, and stroke.
The symptoms of basilar migraine can vary greatly, with aura symptoms lasting from 2 minutes to over an hour before fading, and the headache phase potentially persisting for several hours to several days. One of the key differences between basilar migraine and other migraine types is the occurrence of weakness on one side of the body, which is not a characteristic of hemiplegic migraine.
Common triggers for basilar migraine often overlap with those for other types of migraines, including stress, hormonal changes, sleep disturbances, certain foods and drinks, sensory stimuli, dehydration or skipping meals, physical exertion, weather changes, medications, smoking or exposure to smoke, and changes in barometric pressure or extreme temperatures.
Because basilar migraine involves the brainstem, some triggers may provoke symptoms like vertigo, double vision, or difficulty speaking, which are less common in other migraine types. If you suspect you have basilar migraine, it's crucial to consult a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and management.
Lifestyle changes and seeking medical care can help manage and reduce the frequency of basilar migraine episodes. A doctor may recommend nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antiemetic medications, or nerve blocks to reduce pain. Preventive interventions may include Botox injections, seizure-reducing medications, verapamil, lifestyle changes, relaxation techniques, acupuncture, massage, cognitive behavior therapy, and biofeedback therapy.
Basilar migraine can become less frequent and its pattern more predictable with age. However, it's important to note that smoking can increase the risk of experiencing stroke for individuals with basilar migraine. Anyone who experiences aura symptoms or loss of consciousness during a migraine episode should see a doctor immediately.
Symptoms specific to basilar migraine can include difficulty speaking, vertigo, tinnitus, impaired hearing, double vision, impaired muscle control, reduced level of consciousness, tingling on both sides of the body, anxiety, and hyperventilation. Migraine can also cause a condition called allodynia, where a person feels pain from light touch.
A person with basilar migraine may experience pain before or during changes in speech, hearing, or vision, and the pain may occur on one or both sides of the head. Lifestyle changes that may help reduce the occurrence of migraine episodes include avoiding dietary triggers, exercising regularly, finding ways to reduce stress, eating a balanced diet, getting regular sleep, not skipping meals, reducing exposure to noise, and reducing caffeine intake.
Females who experience migraine with aura and take combined contraceptive pills may have a particularly high risk of ischemic stroke. Treatment for basilar migraine focuses on reducing pain and managing symptoms. It's essential to consult a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis and personalised treatment plan.
- Basilar migraine, unlike other migraine types, may cause weakness on one side of the body, which is not characteristic of hemiplegic migraine.
- To manage and reduce the frequency of basilar migraine episodes, a doctor may recommend various treatments such as NSAIDs, antiemetic medications, or nerve blocks.
- Preventive interventions for basilar migraine can involve Botox injections, seizure-reducing medications, lifestyle changes, relaxation techniques, acupuncture, massage, cognitive behavior therapy, and biofeedback therapy.
- For individuals with basilar migraine, smoking can increase the risk of experiencing stroke.
- Anyone who experiences aura symptoms or loss of consciousness during a migraine episode should see a naive treater immediately, as it may indicate other neurological disorders.
- Symptoms specific to basilar migraine can include difficulty speaking, vertigo, tinnitus, impaired hearing, double vision, impaired muscle control, reduced level of consciousness, tingling on both sides of the body, anxiety, and hyperventilation.
- Migraine can also cause a condition called allodynia, where a person feels pain from light touch, and this has been observed in basilar migraine personas as well as personas with other migraine types.
