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The Curious Bag
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A hemiplegic migraine, a rare neurological condition, has various symptoms or auras that precede actual headache pain, according to WebMD. Temporary changes in vision, hearing, speech, muscle control or even paralysis on one side of the body, or hemiplegia, may occur.
Genetic Cause
A genetic defect or mutation involving several genes prevents the body from making a protein needed by nerve cells to communicate with each other. Hemiplegic migraine has a familial or hereditary form, and a nonfamilial or sporadic form, according to HealthCentral.com.
Symptoms
Symptoms can vary from one episode to another. They include throbbing pain on one side of the head, numbness, weakness or paralysis on one side of the body, loss of coordination, dizziness, sensitivity to sound, smell and light, nausea and vomiting, visual disturbances. Symptoms can last from five to 60 minutes.
Tests
Medical imaging like CT scans of the head, assessment for blood clots in the blood vessels of the neck, and genetic testing can help diagnose hemiplegic migraines and rule out stroke, which has similar symptoms.
Preventive Medication
Doctors may treat hemiplegic migraines preventively with calcium channel blockers or anticonvulsants to decrease the incidence and severity of the headaches.
Acute Treatment
Treatment of acute symptoms include narcotic pain medication, magnesium sulfate and anticonvulsants like valproic acid.
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