Identify and treat ocular migraines
Ophthalmic (eye) migraines are really usual and often painless, although the solo term "migraine" normally brings to mind a dangerous kind of headache.
But with eye-related migraines, visual disturbances with or without headache pain too can accompany migraine processes believed to be related to varieties in blood flow in the brain.
These visual problems affiliated with migraines technically are known as ophthalmic migraines, but are much more typically (though incorrectly) called ocular migraines. Since most laypeople understand the term better, this article refers to the condition as "how do i know if i have an ocular migraine?."
The biological causes of migraines are unknown, but numerous precipitating factors have been discovered. Stress, premenstrual alterations, alcohol consumption, hunger, or the use of oral contraceptives can induce migraines in some persons.
Certain foods may produce attacks; these include chocolate, red wine, milk, aged cheese, chicken livers, meats preserved in nitrates, or foods prepared with monosodium glutamate. Certain persons report that exposure to sunlight or workout can trigger attacks.
The symptoms of ocular migraines vary from person to person, and may include seeing zigzagging lines or patterns, especially at the outer edges of your vision, seeing shimmering or colored lights, loss of vision in one spot or off to one side. With typical migraines, but uncommonly with ocular migraines, you can have severe pain following these symptoms. You may too have vomiting or nausea. Ocular migraines normally require no treatment, other than rest until the symptoms pass.
Your doctor will routinely get a full history and perform a thorough physical exam to rule out systemic causes of the headache. Your ophthalmologist will verify that no eye-related problems are bringing on the headache.
Stress alleviation, control of blood pressure, or medication to maintain appropriate hormonal levels may be needed. New glasses or different work lighting may be prescribed by your doctor.
If you have persistent headaches, it's important to consult your medical physician about them for a medical evaluation.
The management of a migraine consists of avoiding any precipitating factors, together with prophylactic or symptomatic pharmacologic treatment, if needed.
During acute attacks, several patients find it helpful to rest in a quiet, darkened room 'till symptoms subside.
A simple analgesic (e.g., aspirin) consumed right away oftentimes offers easing, but treatment with extracranial vasoconstrictors or other drugs is sometimes essential.
Cafergot, a combination of ergotamine tartrate and caffeine, is frequently particularly useful. A drug known as ergotamine has been used effectively for acute migraine. Sometimes, an analgesic painkiller is used in combination with it. Ergotamine can bring on headaches and other side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, cramps and tingling sensations. It should be employed only a couple of times a week and not at all during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Sumatriptan is a fast-acting agent that can abort attacks when given subcutaneously (under the skin) by an autoinjection device. It should be avoided in pregnancy.
If migraine headaches take place more than 2 or 3 times a month, prophylactic treatment may be necessary. Medications include aspirin, propranolol or amitriptyline.
For more information, visit Eye migraine.
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