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Hemiplegic migraines are a rare form of migraine that can cause stroke-like symptoms, including muscle spasms and temporary paralysis on one side of the body. This is known as unilateral muscle weakness or hemiplegia. The symptoms of hemiplegic migraines can be alarming and may mimic a stroke or other serious neurological conditions. It is important to seek medical advice and receive a clear diagnosis to rule out other potential causes. While hemiplegic migraines are not considered a medical emergency, they can significantly impact a person's life and may require specialist treatment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of migraine | Rare |
| Muscle weakness | One-sided |
| Muscle problems | Usually go away within 24 hours |
| Pain | Follows paralysis, but might come before, or might not come at all |
| Aura | Visual disturbances, speech difficulties, communication difficulties, slurring words, trouble with muscle control and sensation |
| Severity | Can last for a few hours to days and rarely up to four weeks |
| Diagnosis | Primarily clinical |
| Triggers | Acute stress, exertion, intense emotions, too little or too much sleep, bright light, certain foods, physical activity, head trauma, smells |
| Treatment | NSAIDs, medications to reduce nausea, intranasal ketamine, detans |
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What You'll Learn
- Hemiplegic migraines can cause temporary paralysis on one side of the body
- Muscle weakness usually occurs during the aura phase of a migraine
- Migraine auras can cause visual disturbances, such as coloured spots, zig-zags or sparkles
- Hemiplegic migraines can be differentiated from strokes as stroke symptoms come on suddenly
- There are two types of hemiplegic migraines: familial and sporadic
Hemiplegic migraines can cause temporary paralysis on one side of the body
Hemiplegic migraines are a rare form of migraine that can cause temporary paralysis on one side of the body. This paralysis is usually short-term, lasting from one hour to several days, but typically goes away within 24 hours. The muscle weakness may be accompanied by sensory, vision, or speech changes. The symptoms of a hemiplegic migraine often mimic those of a stroke, and it can be difficult to tell the difference between the two. Therefore, it is important to seek medical attention to receive a clear diagnosis and rule out other potential causes.
The characteristic feature of a hemiplegic migraine is episodic, reversible, unilateral motor weakness as a migraine aura manifestation, along with at least one other kind of aura. The aura phase usually comes on gradually over 20 to 30 minutes and can last for hours before slowly resolving. During this time, a person may experience early symptoms such as short-term trouble with muscle control and sensation, a pins-and-needles feeling, and numbness on one side of the body.
The migraine headache attack typically follows the aura phase, causing severe, throbbing head pain. The pain usually occurs after or with one-sided muscle weakness. For example, a person with a hemiplegic migraine may find it difficult to raise and keep one of their arms upright. This muscle weakness is caused by a dysfunction in the way some channels in the brain work, resulting in the abnormal release of neurotransmitters such as serotonin.
There are two types of hemiplegic migraines: familial hemiplegic migraine (FHM) and sporadic hemiplegic migraine (SHM). FHM runs in families, with at least two or more people in the same family experiencing weakness on one side of the body as a symptom. On average, 50% of children with a parent who has FHM will develop this disorder. SHM, on the other hand, occurs in individuals with no family history of the disorder. While most cases of SHM result from new gene mutations, some affected individuals inherit the genetic change from an unaffected parent.
The treatment for hemiplegic migraines aims to regulate how and how often these headaches impact the patient. This includes taking prescribed medications, following a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and avoiding potential triggers such as foods, smells, lights, and stress. In addition, certain preventive medications commonly used to treat typical migraines with aura may be helpful. However, it is important to consult a doctor or a headache specialist to put together a treatment plan that works for the patient's lifestyle and goals.
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Muscle weakness usually occurs during the aura phase of a migraine
Hemiplegic migraines are a rare form of migraine that can cause muscle spasms and weakness. They are often accompanied by changes in motor function, vision, and speech. The muscle weakness usually occurs during the aura phase of a migraine, which is a "warning stage" that occurs before or during a migraine attack. The aura phase can last for hours and then slowly resolve. During this phase, people may experience visual, sensory, or motor disturbances.
Motor disturbances may include muscle spasms, tingling, numbness, or weakness, which may or may not be accompanied by visual disturbances. The most common type of aura is visual aura, which occurs when an electrical or chemical wave spreads through the visual cortex and causes visual symptoms such as flashing lights, zigzags, blind spots, or foggy vision. However, in the case of hemiplegic migraines, motor symptoms such as muscle weakness are more common.
Hemiplegic migraines can cause temporary paralysis on one side of the body, known as hemiplegia. This paralysis is generally short-term and can be accompanied by other forms of aura, such as impaired vision, speech, or sensation. The muscle weakness typically starts during the aura phase, right before or during a headache attack. The symptoms of a hemiplegic migraine can last for a few hours to days and, in rare cases, up to four weeks.
The diagnostic criteria for hemiplegic migraines include episodic, reversible, unilateral muscle weakness as a migraine aura manifestation, along with at least one other kind of aura. It is important to note that hemiplegic migraines can mimic stroke symptoms, so it is crucial to seek medical attention if there is any concern. While hemiplegic migraines themselves are not medical emergencies, they can be alarming and impact an individual's quality of life.
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Migraine auras can cause visual disturbances, such as coloured spots, zig-zags or sparkles
Hemiplegic migraines are a rare form of migraine that can cause muscle spasms and extreme muscle weakness or temporary paralysis on one side of the body, a condition known as hemiplegia. The muscle weakness usually starts during the aura phase of a migraine, right before or during a headache attack. The aura phase can also be accompanied by other typical migraine aura signs, such as visual disturbances.
Migraine auras can cause visual disturbances, such as coloured spots, zig-zags, sparkles, flashing lights, blind spots (scotomas), or double vision. These visual disturbances are caused by changes in eyesight in both eyes. They can be very distressing for the person experiencing them, as they can be similar to the symptoms of a stroke or other serious neurological conditions. It is important to seek medical attention to receive a clear diagnosis and rule out other potential causes.
The visual disturbances caused by migraine auras can vary in intensity and duration. They usually come on gradually over a period of 20 to 30 minutes and can last for several hours before slowly resolving. In some cases, the disturbances may last for days or even weeks, but they typically go away within 24 hours. It is important to note that the duration and severity of these disturbances can vary from person to person.
The visual disturbances associated with migraine auras can be accompanied by other symptoms, such as speech and communication difficulties. Speech difficulties may include slurring words or an inability to speak clearly. Communication difficulties can affect a person's ability to read, listen, speak, and write, impacting their overall ability to understand and convey language. These symptoms can be frightening and disruptive to daily life.
It is important to note that hemiplegic migraines can have various triggers, and it can be challenging to identify the specific cause of an attack. Common triggers include certain foods, smells, lights, stress, too little or too much sleep, physical activity, and head trauma. While managing these triggers can help reduce the frequency of attacks, it is important to consult a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.
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Hemiplegic migraines can be differentiated from strokes as stroke symptoms come on suddenly
Hemiplegic migraines are a rare form of migraine with aura, characterised by the presence of motor weakness as an aura manifestation during a migraine attack. While hemiplegic migraines can cause muscle spasms and their symptoms can mimic those of a stroke, they can be differentiated from strokes as stroke symptoms come on suddenly.
Hemiplegic migraines are episodic, reversible, and present with unilateral motor weakness as a migraine aura manifestation, along with at least one other kind of aura. The aura usually comes on gradually over 20 to 30 minutes, although in rare instances, it can develop acutely and mimic a stroke. The symptoms can last from an hour to a few days and rarely up to four weeks. They usually occur in children or teens and may disappear in adulthood.
The symptoms of hemiplegic migraines can include severe throbbing pain, often on one side of the head, a pins-and-needles feeling, numbness, and temporary paralysis on one side of the body. These symptoms can be alarming, but hemiplegic migraines are not considered a medical emergency. However, if you experience any stroke-like symptoms, such as slurred speech, sudden vision changes, or unexpected loss of coordination, seek emergency medical attention immediately.
To differentiate between hemiplegic migraines and strokes, it is essential to understand the typical progression of stroke symptoms. Unlike hemiplegic migraine symptoms, stroke symptoms typically come on suddenly and may indicate a medical emergency. While hemiplegic migraine symptoms usually build up slowly and then go away, stroke symptoms often have a rapid onset and may persist or progress without timely intervention.
Additionally, certain features can help distinguish hemiplegic migraines from strokes. For example, Sturge-Weber syndrome may present with headache and stroke-like events, while alternating hemiplegia of childhood is associated with variants in the ATP1A3 gene. In the context of radiation therapy, the syndrome of stroke-like migraine attacks after radiation therapy (SMART) is differentiated by a history of cerebral radiation and characteristic imaging findings.
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There are two types of hemiplegic migraines: familial and sporadic
Hemiplegic migraines are a rare form of migraine that can cause muscle spasms and extreme muscle weakness or temporary paralysis on one side of the body, a condition doctors call hemiplegia. The muscle weakness usually starts during the aura phase of a migraine, right before or during a headache attack. The symptoms can last from a few hours to days and rarely up to four weeks. The symptoms completely go away in most cases.
Sporadic hemiplegic migraine (SHM), on the other hand, occurs in individuals with no biological family history of migraines. It is diagnosed when someone experiences all the physical symptoms of FHM but without a known family or inherited connection. The cause of SHM is unknown but is likely due to new or 'sporadic' gene mutations. Studies suggest that in Denmark, about 1 in 10,000 people have hemiplegic migraine, with the condition occurring equally in families with multiple affected individuals and in those with no family history.
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Frequently asked questions
A hemiplegic migraine is a rare form of migraine that causes unilateral weakness, i.e., weakness on one side of the body, along with a headache and other symptoms. The weakness is a form of migraine aura and occurs with other typical migraine aura signs like changes in vision, speech or sensation.
The symptoms of a hemiplegic migraine can include extreme muscle weakness or even temporary paralysis on one side of the body. Other symptoms include severe throbbing pain, a pins-and-needles feeling, and numbness on one side of the body. These symptoms can last from a few hours to several days and, in rare cases, up to four weeks.
Due to the similarity of symptoms with other severe medical conditions like stroke, seizures, and epilepsy, it is important to receive a clear diagnosis from a doctor. The doctor will review your medical history, perform a neurological exam, and may order scans to look at your brain and blood vessels.
Although there is no direct mention of muscle spasms as a symptom of hemiplegic migraines, the condition can cause muscle weakness, temporary paralysis, and other sensory changes. Therefore, it is possible that muscle spasms may occur as an associated symptom, but further medical research is needed to confirm this.
