Although migraine and stroke are both prevalent brain and neurological problems, is there a link between the two?
Migraine is a chronic illness that affects roughly 12% of the population in the United States. Stroke is a life-threatening medical illness. It leaves more than half of those over 65 who survive it disabled for the rest of their lives. Some migraine symptoms may resemble those of a stroke, leading to a misdiagnosis of these diseases.
There’s also mounting evidence that certain types of migraine attacks may, in certain situations, increase your risk of stroke. We’ll look at the parallels and distinctions between migraine and stroke, as well as other probable connections between the two disorders, in this post.
- Advertisement -
Basic difference between stroke and migraine
A stroke is a life-threatening medical emergency, whereas a migraine is a chronic condition that occurs several times per month. A stroke is a type of cardiovascular disease that affects the heart and blood vessels. A migraine attack can be excruciatingly painful, yet it seldom has long-term consequences or results in death.
Other distinctions include the onset time and age. A stroke occurs once in a lifetime for most people, and the risk of having a stroke increases as you become older. Chronic migraine is defined as having migraine episodes for more than 15 days per month for three months or more. Chronic migraine usually begins before the age of 40.
There are also changes in the symptoms you’ll get if you have a migraine versus if you have a stroke. We’ll go through symptoms in greater depth later, but here’s a quick review of the symptoms that are specific to each condition:
- Advertisement -
Common symptoms in stroke and migraine
Although stroke and migraine are two distinct illnesses, they might have certain symptoms. It may be difficult to detect the difference in some circumstances. The following are some of the most common migraine and stroke symptoms:
- headache
- sharp or sudden pain
- vision changes or vision loss
- dizziness
- nausea
- vomiting
- confusion
- face numbness or tingling
- numbness or weakness on one side of the body
- pulsating in the head or face
- high blood pressure
Is there connection btw stroke and migraine?
Both migraine and stroke are possible, and particular migraine kinds may raise your stroke risk. According to a 2018 retrospective research study, having classical migraine (migraine with aura) may increase your chance of having an ischemic stroke (caused by blood clot). A ministroke, also known as a transient ischemic episode, was thought to be more common in migraine sufferers.
- Advertisement -
What is migraine?
Migraine is a persistent disease that can last anywhere from a few hours to many days. It’s classed as a neurological (nervous system and brain) illness, and it usually includes two main symptoms: headaches and various sensitivities.
Hypersensitivities to migraines vary from person to person. You may experience migraines as a result of triggers such as certain foods, fragrances, or sounds. The following are some of the most common migraine triggers:
- stress
- muscle tension
- intense emotions
- hormonal changes
- lack of sleep
- oversleeping
- glaring or flickering lights
- weather changes
Experts are baffled as to why certain people suffer from migraines. Migraine headache may be caused by abnormalities in brain blood flow, according to some study.
According to medical studies, migraine can be caused by a variety of factors, including blood flow, hormone imbalances, and changes in brain nerves.
What is stroke?
Stroke is a brain blood vessel condition. There are two basic reasons for this:
Bleeding in or around the brain occurs when a blood vessel rips or ruptures.
A blood clot in or around the brain blocks an artery.
Both of these conditions can make it difficult for blood and oxygen to reach brain cells and tissues. This can result in brain damage.
A stroke can strike without warning and without warning. If you’re experiencing a stroke, you can notice the following signs and symptoms:
- difficulty speaking
- slurred speech
- difficulty understanding speech
- confusion
- severe headache
- vision problems
- seeing double
- numbness or weakness in the face and body (usually on one side)
- facial drooping on one side
- paralysis (usually on one side of the body)
Stroke risk can be increased by certain lifestyle choices, medical history, and genetic factors. Medical variables that predispose to cancer include:
- high blood pressure
- diabetes
- high cholesterol
- heart disease
- being overweight or obese
The lifestyle factors include:
- sedentary lifestyle without adequate physical exercise
- smoking tobacco
- drinking alcohol
A stroke can happen at any age, although the risk increases as you get older. You’re also at a larger danger if you’re Black. Stroke information from a reliable source.
Treatment options
Although both migraine and stroke involve blood arteries in the brain, their causes, consequences, and therapies are distinct. Both can result in acute symptoms, such as pain, that necessitate immediate medical attention.
If you have a migraine, your doctor will prescribe pain relievers as well as other medications that assist dilate your brain’s blood vessels. Muscle relaxants injected into the jaw and head may also assist to lessen migraine attacks.
Strokes might leave you unable for the rest of your life. The type of stroke determines the treatment. To break up clots and lower your blood pressure, you may need medication.
You may need physiotherapy and other types of treatment if you have long-term symptoms from a stroke, such as trouble speaking or walking.
Conclusion
Migraine is a common and manageable headache disorder that can start in childhood or adolescence. Stroke is a life-threatening disorder that can strike at any age, although it becomes more likely as you get older.
Although migraine and stroke are two different illnesses, they sometimes have symptoms. Some types of migraine may increase your risk of stroke in rare situations. Tell your doctor if you’re experiencing migraine symptoms, and seek medical help right away if you fear you’re having a stroke.
