Migraine Ocular - The Eye Migraines

Vascular headaches are also known as migraines. There are different types such as ocular migraines. Although the specific reason why migraine occurs has yet to be known, migraines are thought to be caused by the dilation and constriction of arteries in the brain. These headaches can start early in the morning and may be extremely painful. The pain is often limited to one side of the head and becomes more severe after about an hour or two. It may also gradually spread and may eventually be accompanied by nausea and vomiting.

A variation of migraine is the ocular migraine or opthalmoplegic migraine. It is believed to be caused by dilations and constrictions of arteries but the most affected ones are the ocular blood supply to the vision center of the brain. It is also believed to be due to nerve palsy or problems with the internal carotid artery. Although this condition is rare, it can still be extremely painful and is often accompanied by double vision and other types of visual disturbances, nausea and vomiting. Other symptoms include sensitivity to light, glare or haloes around lights, burning eyes, etc. In some extreme cases, the person experiencing ocular migraine can have a permanent neurologic deficit due to low blood flow and oxygen in the brain. However, most of the symptoms vary and depend on what triggered the migraine.

Migraine

Some external factors are believed to be the start for the occurrence of migraine. Some primarily involve overtiredness. Ocular migraines typically occur after long periods of reading, watching television, using the computer work, and other activities that may stress the eyes. Food may also serve as external factors that bring on the onslaught of ocular migraine. These foods may include red wine, chocolate, milk, chicken livers, preserved meats foods prepared with monosodium glutamate and others. Biological factors can also be causes of migraines such as stress, alcohol consumption, hunger, or the use of oral contraceptives. It also includes serious body conditions such as sinus conditions, hypertension, allergies, tumors, angle-closure glaucoma and others.

Treatment for ocular migraine starts with a doctor. A doctor will routinely obtain a thorough and complete medical history. He will also perform a thorough physical exam to rule out several causes for ocular migraine such as systemic ones. Ophthalmologists often also play a role since they will be the ones to verify that no eye-related problems that are bringing on the ocular migraine.

In cases wherein a doctor is not easily accessible or is unavailable at the moment, stress relief, control of blood pressure, or medication to maintain may also help. Management of a migraine also includes avoiding any triggering factors, together with prophylactic or preventive treatment, if necessary. In some cases, it is best to rest in a quiet, darkened room until symptoms subside. Medications such as simple analgesic can be taken right away. These provides some immediate relief, but may not completely get rid of the migraine. Treatment options can be discussed with a doctor during check-up, especially in cases of acute migraine attacks.

Migraine Ocular - The Eye Migraines

Migraine

Ways of Treating Visual Migraine

Visual migraine is a type of migraine known also as ocular migraine and ophthalmic migraine. Similar to the common migraine, its cause is vascular; that is, it involves the blood vessels. Whereas the typical migraine affects the arteries located in the surface of the brain, it affects the veins that supply blood to the vision center.

During a visual migraine episode, the sufferer experiences visual disturbances that typically last for fifteen to thirty minutes. It usually starts as a shimmering light with a semi-circular shape and jagged edges, seen in the peripheral vision and later expands to become more central. The ability to see is obscured within the jagged area. A headache may accompany the disturbance but does not occur in all cases. The more common symptoms that come with this are nausea and vomiting and a heightened sensitivity to light. Although the root cause of this particular migraine is not known, some of its common triggers are identified as fatigue, depression, dehydration, eyestrain, stress, alcohol, certain foods, and a shift in estrogen levels.

Migraine

Diagnosing visual migraine may require visits to the ophthalmologist and neurologist. This is to make sure that the visual disturbances are not caused by an underlying eye condition such as a detached retina or a blood clot in the brain. Once this has been established, then proper treatment can be provided.

Certainly, this is not fatal nor does it cause any damage to the brain or eyes. And since no pain comes with it, treatment is usually unnecessary unless a headache arises during an episode. However, if the attacks are frequent, medications may have to be administered. If the visual migraine occurs with a headache, over-the-counter medicines like ibuprofen and naproxen can be taken to relieve the pain. In addition, non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) and aspirin are known to prevent these migraine attacks because they help keep the arteries in their normal size. Medications should be taken as soon as the first sign of the aura is felt. During the attack, the vision may be so hampered that doing other activities could be impossible. In these times, the patient should relax and wait for the said migraine to end. Bright lights and sounds should be avoided because they could potentially worsen the symptoms.

Having a visual migraine attack, though most of the times painless, can be frightening, especially for those who experience it for the first time. If anyone encounters any of the symptoms associated with this type of migraine, he should consult his physician immediately. This migraine, by itself, usually requires no treatment but the symptoms could be signs of a more serious condition. Knowing about a disease and how to deal with it is the best treatment of all.

Ways of Treating Visual Migraine

Migraine