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:

• Ischemic Stroke

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. 

• Transient Ischemic Attack:

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 With Aura

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

There is no such person in this world who never faces a headache, which is why we consider it a small and generic health problem.

But do you know your frequent headache can signify some severe neurological disorder?

Shocked!

That’s right. Headache is of various types, and majorly people face normal headache issues only. But if you can educate yourself about this health issue, you will be able to know if you are healthy or not.

Different Types of Headache & Its Treatment

Understanding the type of headache you are facing is essential because only then would you be able to figure out its treatment method.

Let us discuss some of the most common types of headaches along with their treatment:

• Tension Headache:

Have you ever noticed whenever you are under stress or tension, your head starts painting, and that pain is very dull. Secondly, you can also feel tiredness around your head, neck, and eyes.

You can treat your tension headache by giving your body a proper rest. You can also use an ice pack around your head, and lastly, you can take a hot shower to solve this issue.

• Cluster Headache:

Under cluster headaches, you can notice severe burning pain around one side of your head, including your face. People also face issues like redness, swelling, and sweating with this type of headache.

If you are at your home and looking for remedies for cluster headaches, you can relax in a completely dark room; it will make you feel better. Secondly, you can also drink coffee, as caffeine can help you eliminate this headache.

If this issue is still not cured, you should contact the best Neurologist in Ludhiana.

• Migraine:

If you have a migraine, you will face a deep pulsing pain from the inside of your head, and due to this headache, you will not be able to do your daily tasks properly. This pain would be different from your normal headache and will be one-sided only.

Scalp massage is one of the best home remedies for migraine issues; applying pressure on the scalp can help relieve stress. If you are still facing pain, you can sleep for a few hours; that will surely help you eliminate the issue.

• Ice Pick Headache:

Just imagine you are doing your daily activities, and suddenly you face intense pain around your head for a few seconds. Such a headache is known as an ice pack headache.

You can use an ice pack around your head or neck area to reduce the stabbing pain of an ice pack headache.

Signs That You Should Visit Your Doctor Now

• You are unable to do anything due to a headache. In such a situation, you should visit a Neuro Hospital in Ludhiana.

• If the headache wakes you up at night while you sleep, it’s high time to visit your doctor.

Conclusion:

We hope you understand that not every headache is a normal headache. If you notice some severe signs and symptoms of headache, get in touch with the Best Neurosurgeon in Ludhiana.

You can connect with Neurociti Hospital for any such neurological disorder.

Headache can ruin your time within no seconds. It is the third leading reason for time lost due to illness all over the world. In this blog, we are going to focus on two different types of headaches that are very prevalent.

The two types of headaches include:

• Migraines

• Tension headache

With the help of Neuro Hospital in Punjab guidance, you will be able to understand the reasons behind developing headache and how you can treat it.

The first step for treatment is to understand which type of headache you are suffering from, as the treatment varies from one another.

We will look at the key differences between tension headaches and migraines for a better idea about your head pain.

Differences Between Tension Headache And Migraines

• Beyond the head pain

One of the biggest differences between tension headache and migraines is that tension headache is only limited to head pain. In contrast, migraines can come along with some other set of symptoms.

In short, migraine is a neurological disorder that requires treatment from the Best Neurologist in Ludhiana. Thus you would experience many other issues in addition to headaches, including:

1. Neck stiffness

2. Visual disturbances

3. Gastrointestinal upset

4. Sensitivity to light and sound

5. Nausea

6. Dizziness

7. Fatigue

Most often, some of these symptoms often crop up before the headache even starts. We also call them prodrome and aura stages. And after the migraine subsides, you might observe a postdrome phase in which you will experience confusion and spending.

But in a tension headache, you would not experience such side effects affecting you. In tension headaches, the only issue you would feel is head pain.

• A Difference In Head Pain

When we talk about head pain only, we often notice that people describe a tension headache as someone holding your head in a tight grip. This discomfort starts from the back of the head and then further leads around the head.

On the other hand, with migraine, most patients experience throbbing pain on one side of the head only. And if you feel pain on both sides of the head, you are more likely to have it worse on one side.

• A difference and one similarity in triggers

Let us now move towards the similarities and differences in its triggers and what provoked them. Learning about the causes would help you treat the problem with the right therapy.

Many people suffering from migraines have certain triggers that push that on. Here are some of the common triggers that lead to migraine are:

1. Changes in weather

2. Changes in hormones (especially in women)

3. Certain food additives

4. Alcohol, especially red wine

5. Exercise

6. Dehydration

7. Excessive caffeine

8. Stress

The last trigger in the list is:

-Stress

It is a triggering point common in tension headaches and migraines. The patient is suffering from stress that can lead to head pain.

Apart from stress or anxiety, another triggering point that is similar to booth tension headache and migraine is muscle tension.

Headache is one of those triggering problems that can make us compromise on all our daily activities. Sometimes that stress, migraine, or sinus issue triggers this issue. The cervicogenic headache is not just the typical headache. It’s the neck pain that can reach the head pain. If you have this problem then you must consult the medical expert at one of the known Neuro Hospital in Ludhiana to better manage the situation. In this blog, I aim to tell you everything regarding cervicogenic headaches.

Cervicogenic headaches

• Major issue is the neck injury

If the headache has occurred after whiplash then it’s a cervicogenic headache. Some of the additional causes are neck fracture, slipped disk, pinched nerves, sprained neck muscles, or strained neck muscles. Make sure to always get professional assistance by consulting one of the experienced Neurologist in Ludhiana & better manage your entire health.

• Different from the other headaches

Cervicogenic headache is one of those unique types when the pain is just on one side of the head. The problem starts from the skull base and reaches one side. If this happens then its possible head or neck movement is limited. Its possible neck movement is limited in this condition.

• Office setup is not right

If your office environment is making you slouch or strain then this type of headache may be triggered. If you are sitting for too long then your neck may flex down. While sitting you must keep the back 7& neck straight as much as possible.

• Head massage is great

In some cases, head massage can help the patients. This is because tension is relieved from the muscles which is the reason for headaches. But, before you do that make sure to consult the doctor & better check up on what to do next.

• Old mattress & pillow create an issue

Old mattresses or pillows may create issues. While you fall asleep the body needs proper rest & this is the time when it will get recharged. If your sleeping equipment is not right or too old to be used when you have to get it changed. Make sure that you get a pillow that can line with the neck. If your mattress or pillow has been in use for years then better get it changed.

• Neck exercise should be avoided unless medical supervision is not there

If you have neck pain then don’t go with the option of exercising or stretching. Trying to do this on your own is going to make it worse. The neck is one of the complex structures so make sure that you get the doctor’s assistance for the same.

• Watch the red flags

All those experiencing a one-sided headache need to be careful. These are the signs which require immediate attention like:

• Weakness or numbness on one body part
• Slurred speech
• Dizziness or vertigo
• Double vision or droopy eyelid
• Severe neck pain & its sudden