Visual symptoms with migraines
Many migraine sufferers, experience visual disturbances.
Patients may experience problems with their vision, such as blindness, or seeing flashing and spots. This is a rare type of migraine – often called a retinal migraine, or ocular migraine. More often than not, these migraine sufferers’ visual disturbances accompany nausea or a headache.
What is the cause?
Visual impairment is described as a symptom of migraines when patients suffer from an attack.
Are there any risk factors for retinal migraines?
Yes. There are various ways that can exacerbate your symptoms and trigger a migraine attack. These may include:
- smoking/tobacco use
- low blood sugar
- dehydration
- high blood pressure
- withdrawal from caffeine
- being in environments of high altitudes, or hot temperatures
- exercise with high intensity
Click here to view more factors and triggers for retinal migraine sufferers.
Furthermore, there is a population that are more prone to suffer from retinal migraines. This may include women, people under the age of 40, people with a family history of retinal migraines or headaches, or people with a medical history of headaches or migraines.
Are there any treatment options for retinal migraines?
Some doctors may prescribe sufferers with medication, such as Beta-blockers and NSAIDs. However, if you would rather alleviate your symptoms without medications, there are also headache and migraine practitioners who can help reduce symptoms of retinal migraines. These treatment methods usually target pain relief, by performing careful and safe manual techniques.
What can I do, as a patient, to reduce my symptoms?
It is advised that patients minimise triggers of their migraines by eating healthy, having enough fluid intake and living a healthy, active life. Click here to see some great tips on how to live a healthier life.
References
Nichols, H. & Nichols, H. (2017). Retinal Migraine: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment. Medical News Today. Retrieved 4 March 2017, from http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/314917.php
Retinal migraine – NHS Choices. (2017). Nhs.uk. Retrieved 4 March 2017, from http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/retinal-migraine/Pages/Introduction.aspx
Retinal Migraine: Symptoms, Treatment, and More. (2017). Healthline. Retrieved 4 March 2017, from http://www.healthline.com/health/migraine/retinal-migraines#Overview1
