Your forehead pounds and your eyes are painful and tired? Maybe it is not just a headache; it could certainly be migraine or a stroke. A stroke is a serious medical problem that happens when the blood supply to the brain is cut off, and brain cells die. There are two main causes of stroke: one is ischemic, which is caused by a blood supply being stopped due to blood clots; the other is haemorrhagic, when weakened blood vessels burst in the brain. Apart from that, another condition known as transient ischemic attack (TIA) occurs when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted.
One of the most common problems that neurologists observe is migraines that mimic TIA (transient ischemic attack). In one study, it was found that migraine with aura was responsible for nearly 2% of all emergency stroke examinations and 12% of stroke mimics. 99% of people who are living with migraine have visual disturbance, and nearly 20% have disturbance of speech and language. Symptoms may shift from one to another in people with more than one aura, which is typically of TIA or stroke, and the aura usually lasts 5 minutes to 1 hour or longer.
What is A Stroke?
A stroke is a serious medical condition that happens when blood supply to the brain is interrupted, and it is one of the causes of strokes. The different types of strokes include:
When blood supply is interrupted due to weakened blood vessels, this is one of the most common strokes seen in patients.
- Hemorrhagic Stroke
In this condition, blood supply is interrupted due to the bursting of blood vessels, and this stroke is less common than ischemic stroke.
Blood supply is interrupted temporarily in this condition, and the symptoms do not last for more than 24 hours.
What Is Migraine And Migraine With Aura?
Migraine is a neurological condition that can cause severe headaches, and it shows symptoms temporarily. Two main types of migraine are:
Migraine aura is a sensory abnormality or language disruption, and it mainly occurs just before the start of the symptoms of migraine with aura, including:
- Vision problems such as zigzag, bright spots, and sparks
- Tingling on one side of the body
- Speech difficulty
Normally, this lasts for five to 60 minutes, and the aura may shift and develop frequently.
- Migraine Without Aura
This medical condition mainly occurs in children and adults, in which patients experience severe headaches for four to 72 hours. Only 0.8% of all strokes are migraine, making them uncommon.
Difference Between Stroke and Migraine
Migraine has different trigger points
- Migraine can be triggered by stress
- Poor quality of sleep
- Due to some kind of smell
- Hormonal changes
- Loud sound
The risk of stroke can be increased with increased age, and after the age of 60, the risk of stroke can double, whereas migraine is common at a young age.
Stroke can damage brain cells permanently, while migraine is a temporary episodic problem and does not cause any damage inside the brain.
You can get migraines one after another, maybe after months, and the problems such as vision issues, dizziness, and numbness can resolve after a few hours, as compared to stroke.
In most cases, we are able to differentiate migraine from TIA, but it is suggested that, to diagnose clearly, testing is mandatory.
Risk Of Stroke With Migraine
Studies have shown that there are high chances of ischemic stroke in people who are struggling with migraine aura. But it does not mean they will have a stroke because they have a migraine, and the risk of stroke is higher in women with migraine aura under the age of 45 years who use:
- Oral contraceptive
- Smoking
People who experience migraine with aura after the age of 50 for the first time can have a stroke.
How To Manage Stroke With Migraine?
There are some things that can help to manage risk factors for strokes, such as:
- Managing any vascular risk factor
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Managing arterial hypertension
- Managing diabetes
- Overcoming or stopping smoking
- Managing body weight
Conclusion
One would think that it is easy to differentiate between migraine and TIA (transient ischemic attack), because migraine must be associated with headache, but this is not always true. The aura of the migraine can either precede a headache in classic migraine or occur without a headache in isolated migraine aura.
Migraines can occur at any age, and the symptoms can vary from a few moments to 1 hour, unilateral or bilateral, and it may happen when the patient’s eyes are closed. However, TIA tends to come suddenly and features loss of sensation, such as vision loss in one eye or loss of feeling in one hand.
If you are experiencing any symptoms related to migraine or TIA and are unsure if you are having a stroke, TIA, or migraine, then you should seek medical help. If you are searching for a healthcare professional in Ludhiana, then you can book an appointment with Neurociti Hospital, where a well-experienced and professional doctor, S.K. Bansal, will provide you with the best treatment and guidance.
FAQS
- Are migraine aura and mini strokes the same problem?
No, when the brain experiences abnormal chemical or electrical activity, it is known as migraine aura, whereas TIA is a temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain; they are different medical conditions.
- Are there high chances of stroke in people living with migraine aura?
Yes, people living with migraine aura, especially women who smoke, may face a higher risk of ischemic stroke.
- When should I seek a medical emergency in a migraine aura?
When you notice symptoms such as a switch flipping instead of spreading, an aura lasting longer than 60 minutes, sudden weakness, or facial droop, you should seek emergency medical care.
- Is migraine aura a serious condition?
Generally, migraine aura is not considered dangerous or physically harmful on its own, but you may need medical help if it is new or changing.
- Is there any link between migraine and stroke?
The relationship between migraine aura and stroke is complicated, as both conditions occur in the brain. Sometimes the symptoms of migraine aura can mimic stroke and share some risk factors.
- What should I avoid if I have a migraine aura?
If you have a migraine aura, to manage it, you should avoid common lifestyle, environmental, and dietary triggers that can trigger migraine attacks.
References and Authority Sources
Stroke Association
Medscape Neurology decision point
The Migraine Trust
Ophthalmology Times
Medigence 10
