Can Migraines Be Deadly?

If you are among the twenty-eight million people in the U.S. that suffer from migraines, you don't need a list of the symptoms, you are intimately familiar with them. For those who have never suffered from one, it is difficult to describe.

While it can be located in other areas, such as the neck, most of the time, the pain is on one side of the head. Many sufferers describe a warning symptom that one is coming on. It is described as a flash of light, an aura or some other, usually visual sign. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and sensitivity to light and sound are also likely. The pain can last a few hours or for several days.

A migraine can be caused by triggers, but avoiding them may not always prevent attacks. Things like smoke, alcohol, allergies and stress are a few of the more common triggers. While you can't always prevent them, knowing and avoiding your personal triggers may make for fewer bouts.

The question arises occasionally about whether or not having these painful episodes can cause or be a symptom of something more sinister. While the exact reasons for the links are not always clear, there is some evidence that migraines may actually cause or be otherwise associated with some serious problems.

1) Blood Clots: It isn't known why, but there is a significant risk of blood clots in the brain with this medical condition. It may also cause you to have hardening of the arteries, but studies indicate that this is not the cause of increased risk. More research is being done to find out the cause of this link and how to prevent clot formation.

2) Brain Lesions: Recent studies show that these episodes can be associated with lesions on the brain, though whether it is a cause or a result is not yet known. These lesions can cause brain damage, loss of memory, seizures, vision problems, changes in personality and other problems. If the condition is mild, the doctor may decide to take a "wait and see" approach. If necessary, there are new treatments which may help relieve the situation, including some of the new surgical techniques.

3) Heart Attacks: Blood clots may cause heart attacks, but they are not the only risk factor when dealing with migraines. High blood pressure and diabetes tend to be more likely, and these can also cause damage to the cardiovascular system.

This doesn't mean that you are going to die from a migraine, but it does point out the need to be especially careful. Talk to your doctor about means of early detection and/or prevention of these conditions. Appropriate lifestyle changes may be needed, and it is important to have regular medical checkups.