Are vision problems normal with migraines?!
Question: Are vision problems normal with migraines!?
I've had chronic migraines for years, but recently when I get one my vision gets blurry and sometimes I lose it completely for a few seconds!.!.!.like I'm standing in a room with a dimmer when someone slowly turns in down and the room's black for a few seconds, then it comes back on slowly)!. They've also become much more frequent and severe!. In the past two months I've been averaging four migraines a week!. Is this normal!?Www@Answer-Health@Com
Answers:
Sounds like a retinal migraine!. Migraines are caused by constriction of blood vessels in the brain!. The constriction is temporary!. When the constricted blood vessels are those that supply a portion of the brain involved with sight, visual loss may occur!. In general, eyes do not deteriorate with migraines!.
Retinal migraine is migraine where there are repeated attacks of visual disturbances preceding the headache phase of the migraine attacks!.
A retinal migraine attack begins with monocular visual symptoms that can include:
1!. scintillations (the perception of flashing lights or lines)
2!. scotoma (white spots)
3!. temporary blindness!.
The headache phase of a retinal migraine begins during or within 60 minutes of the visual symptoms!. The headache phase presents symptoms consistent with migraine without aura:
Headache duration of 4 to 72 hours
At least two of these characteristics:
1!. unilateral location (one-sided effects)
2!. pulsatile quality (pulsating; throbbing)
3!. moderate or severe pain intensity
4!. aggravation by or causing avoidance of routine physical activity such as walking or climbing stairs
At least one of these characteristics:
1!. nausea and/or vomiting
2!. photophobia and phonophobia (dread and avoidance of light; fear or dislike of noise)
The primary differentiating factors between retinal migraine and migraine with aura (strange light or unpleasant smell preceding the migraine) are:
1!. The visual symptoms of retinal migraine are monocular (only one eye)!.
2!. Total, but temporary, monocular blindness may occur in retinal migraine!.
Diagnosing retinal migraine:
There are no diagnostic tests to confirm migraine disease!. Diagnosis is accomplished by reviewing the patient's personal and family medical history, studying their symptoms, and conducting an examination!. Migraine is then diagnosed by ruling out other causes for the symptoms!. With retinal migraine, it is essential that other causes of transient blindness be fully investigated and ruled out!.
Treatment:
For infrequent attacks, medications used for other forms of migraine are often employed to relieve the other symptoms!. These medications can include NSAIDs, antinausea medications, Midrin, ergotamines or the triptans!. The choice of medications is somewhat affected by the age of the patient!. When migraines are frequent, the same preventive therapies used for other migraines can be explored!.
So I would say because of the frequency and severity of your migraines, you should consult your GP with an accurate discription of your symptoms, who may then prescribe medication!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Retinal migraine is migraine where there are repeated attacks of visual disturbances preceding the headache phase of the migraine attacks!.
A retinal migraine attack begins with monocular visual symptoms that can include:
1!. scintillations (the perception of flashing lights or lines)
2!. scotoma (white spots)
3!. temporary blindness!.
The headache phase of a retinal migraine begins during or within 60 minutes of the visual symptoms!. The headache phase presents symptoms consistent with migraine without aura:
Headache duration of 4 to 72 hours
At least two of these characteristics:
1!. unilateral location (one-sided effects)
2!. pulsatile quality (pulsating; throbbing)
3!. moderate or severe pain intensity
4!. aggravation by or causing avoidance of routine physical activity such as walking or climbing stairs
At least one of these characteristics:
1!. nausea and/or vomiting
2!. photophobia and phonophobia (dread and avoidance of light; fear or dislike of noise)
The primary differentiating factors between retinal migraine and migraine with aura (strange light or unpleasant smell preceding the migraine) are:
1!. The visual symptoms of retinal migraine are monocular (only one eye)!.
2!. Total, but temporary, monocular blindness may occur in retinal migraine!.
Diagnosing retinal migraine:
There are no diagnostic tests to confirm migraine disease!. Diagnosis is accomplished by reviewing the patient's personal and family medical history, studying their symptoms, and conducting an examination!. Migraine is then diagnosed by ruling out other causes for the symptoms!. With retinal migraine, it is essential that other causes of transient blindness be fully investigated and ruled out!.
Treatment:
For infrequent attacks, medications used for other forms of migraine are often employed to relieve the other symptoms!. These medications can include NSAIDs, antinausea medications, Midrin, ergotamines or the triptans!. The choice of medications is somewhat affected by the age of the patient!. When migraines are frequent, the same preventive therapies used for other migraines can be explored!.
So I would say because of the frequency and severity of your migraines, you should consult your GP with an accurate discription of your symptoms, who may then prescribe medication!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
ive had chronic migraines since i was ten, and i know that they can last for 8 to ten hours a day, for three days in a row!. but it sounds like youre having blackouts, which isnt that normal, try going to a migraine specialist!. Www@Answer-Health@Com