Basilar migraine is a severe type of headache that can cause vision and hearing problems, confusion, and loss of consciousness. It affects the upper part of the brainstem and the basilar artery. Women under 30 are more prone to it. Prescription drugs can help, and a neurologist can diagnose it. Auras precede the onset of basilar migraine, and they can cause sensitivity to light, blurry patches in central vision, and tunnel vision. It’s essential to seek emergency medical care if a person shows signs of basilar migraine to minimize the risks of permanent brain damage or sudden death.
Basilar migraine is one of the more severe types of chronic headache. It can cause debilitating head pain, hearing and vision problems, confusion, and occasionally loss of consciousness. The neurological problems appear to arise in the upper part of the brainstem and affect the large basilar artery in the back of the brain. Basilic migraines are more common in women younger than 30, but symptoms can potentially occur in both genders at any age. Prescription drugs can help control symptoms and reduce the frequency of episodes in most patients.
Unusual vision changes called auras often precede the onset of a basilar migraine. Auras are common with many migraine types, but the effects are particularly evident with the basilar variety because the affected artery is so close to the brain’s visual cortex. A typical aura occurs 30 minutes to an hour before other migraine symptoms and can cause sensitivity to light, dark or blurry patches in central vision, object distortion, and tunnel vision. Also, some people experience auditory hallucinations and strange smells during the aura phase.
When true basilar migraine occurs, vision and hearing problems tend to get worse. A person may experience constant ringing in the ears and severe vision problems, approaching blindness. Nausea, vomiting, throbbing pain in the head, and loss of balance are common. Severe migraines can cause loss of consciousness, seizures or strokes. It is essential to seek emergency medical care if a person shows signs of basilar migraine in order to minimize the risks of permanent brain damage or sudden death.
A neurologist can diagnose a basilar migraine by evaluating the reported symptoms, asking about family history of migraines and strokes, and performing a variety of diagnostic tests. MRI scans, computed tomography screens, and electroencephalograms are done to look for obvious signs of neurological or vascular damage in the brain. Your doctor may also perform hearing and vision tests to see if permanent damage has occurred. After ruling out seizure disorders and other types of migraines, your doctor can explain your treatment options.
A patient experiencing occasional migraines may be prescribed a pain reliever and a high potency muscle relaxant to take at the first signs of an aura in hopes of preventing the impending migraine. People who experience two or more episodes a month typically receive daily medications called calcium channel blockers to reduce the frequency. Verapamil and similar calcium channel blockers may not be able to prevent migraines entirely, but most patients experience significantly longer symptom-free periods between attacks.
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