A basilar migraine is a rare form of headache, accompanied by attacks of aura symptoms that typically last for about an hour, and include double vision, dizziness, speech problems, confusion, hearing impairment and tingling sensations throughout the body. A basilar migraine is characterized by symptoms that begin either in the base of the brain or from both sides of the brain at the same time, according to the National Headache Foundation.
Re-classification and Epidemiology
Spasm of the basilar artery was originally implicated as a causal factor in basilar migraine, however, subsequent research has shown that, like many other types of migraines, a basilar migraine is a genetic neurological condition. For this reason, the condition has been reclassified as basilar-type migraine or BTM. All age groups of men and women suffer from BTMs, but three times more women are affected than men. The reason for this has not been determined according to Help for Headaches.
Common Symptoms
Visual symptoms such as flashing lights, blurred or double vision, and temporary blindness are reported by all BTM suffers. Vertigo or a feeling that the room is spinning is a very common BTM symptom, as is the inability to form words or sentences, otherwise known as aphasia, according to the National Headache Foundation.
Aura
All BTM migraine sufferers experience aura symptoms, typically 20 to 40 minutes before the headache begins, but sometimes during the migraine as well. On the positive side, an aura can provide warning that a migraine is forthcoming, giving suffers the time to change plans and perhaps take medication, according to the website Relieve Migraine Headache.
Cause of Aura
Underlying hereditary conditions that cause reduced blood flow problems in the brain leading to attacks of reduced brain tissue oxygenation are frequently cited as medical explanations for auras, according to a March 2010 article published in “Lancet Neurobiology.”
BTM Treatment
Common treatments for migraines, such as triptan- and ergotamine-type drugs, were not traditionally prescribed for BTMs because doctors initially thought the condition was caused by abnormalities in brain blood vessels, and that these drugs may cause side effects due to their narrowing actions on blood vessels. However, a November 2001 study published in “Headache” showed that treatment of BTM sufferers with triptan-type drugs caused no adverse effects, with good relief of headache and symptoms. These findings show that a visit to the doctor for an accurate diagnosis, treatment and to discuss current medical thinking in this rapidly developing field is likely to be highly worthwhile for BTM sufferers.
References
- National Headache Foundation: Basilar-Type Migraine
- Relieve Migraine Headache: People with Migraine Headache have Frightening Symptoms
- “Lancet Neurobiology”; Migraine Aura Pathophysiology: The role of Blood Vessels and Microembolisation; T. Dalkara; March 2010
- Basilar-Type Migraine: What Is It?
- “Headache”; Triptans in the Treatment of Basilar Migraine and Migraine with Prolonged Aura; J. Klapper; November 2001
