Migraine Headache (cont.)
Medical Author:
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MDMelissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology. Medical Editor:
Jay W. Marks, MD
Jay W. Marks, MDJay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. In this Article
 What are some of the variants of migraine headaches?Complicated migraines are migraines that are accompanied by neurological dysfunction. The part of the body that is affected by the dysfunction is determined by the part of the brain that is responsible for the headache. Vertebrobasilar migraines are characterized by dysfunction of the brainstem (the lower part of the brain that is responsible for automatic activities like consciousness and balance). The symptoms of vertebrobasilar migraines include:
Hemiplegic migraines are characterized by: The paralysis or weakness is usually temporary, but sometimes it can last for days. Retinal, or ocular, migraines are rare attacks characterized by repeated instances of scotomata (blind spots) or blindness on one side, lasting less than an hour, that can be associated with headache. Irreversible vision loss can be a complication of this rare form of migraine. Reviewed by Jay W. Marks, MD on 12/4/2012 Patient CommentsViewers share their comments
Migraine Headache - Symptoms
Question: Do you experience an "aura" prior to your migraine headache?
Migraine Headache - Effective Treatments
Question: What kinds of treatments have been effective for your migraine headache?
Migraine Headache - Medicine
Question: Which medications have you taken for migraines? What works, and what doesn't?
Migraine Headache - Causes
Question: Discuss the triggers for your migraine headaches.
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