Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Hemiplegic migraines are a rare form of migraine that causes temporary motor problems, including weakness on one side of the body (hemiplegia). These symptoms are a form ofmigraine auraand occur with typical manifestations, such as changes in vision, speech, or sensation.
Because hemiplegic migraine symptoms are similar tosymptoms of a stroke, it is critical to identify and treat these migraines as quickly as possible.
In addition to the aura symptoms, the duration of a hemiplegic migraine aura is different from that of a typical migraine with aura. In fact, the aura of a hemiplegic migraine attack often lasts more than one hour; in around 5% of people, it lasts more than 24 hours.
Symptoms of a hemiplegic migraine can include:
Rarely, people with hemiplegic migraines have more serious symptoms, such as:
The symptoms can last from a few hours to a few days. Memory loss can sometimes continue for months.
Can you live a normal life with hemiplegic migraines?Many with this rare condition lead relatively normal lives, using preventative treatment options to manage the migraines.You might experience symptom-free streaks, and it’s common for hemiplegic migraines to decrease in frequency later in life.
Can you live a normal life with hemiplegic migraines?
Many with this rare condition lead relatively normal lives, using preventative treatment options to manage the migraines.You might experience symptom-free streaks, and it’s common for hemiplegic migraines to decrease in frequency later in life.
Familial hemiplegic migraine (FHM)is inherited. Gene mutations associated with familial hemiplegic migraine include:
As research evolves on hemiplegic migraine, more genetic mutations are being discovered. For example, mutations in the PRRT2 gene have also been linked to familial hemiplegic migraine.
If you have one parent with familial hemiplegic migraine, you have a 50% chance of inheriting the condition.
Sporadic hemiplegic migraine (SHM)is less common than familial hemiplegic migraine and is not inherited, which means that a person will not have a family history of the condition. Instead, the genetic mutations of a person with sporadic hemiplegic migraine occur spontaneously.
Mutations in the ATP1A2 and CACNA1A genes have been found to cause sporadic hemiplegic migraine.
Hemiplegic Migraine TriggersAvoid these common triggers for hemiplegic migraines:Bright lightToo little or too much sleepPhysical exertionFoods that may trigger migraines, such as alcohol, caffeine, yeast, and those with artificial sweeteners, like aspartame
Hemiplegic Migraine Triggers
Avoid these common triggers for hemiplegic migraines:Bright lightToo little or too much sleepPhysical exertionFoods that may trigger migraines, such as alcohol, caffeine, yeast, and those with artificial sweeteners, like aspartame
Avoid these common triggers for hemiplegic migraines:
As with all forms of migraine, diagnosis is based on the presence of specific symptoms, frequency of attacks, and the ruling out of other possible causes.
The migraines must also have at least two of the following four characteristics:
Imaging tests, such asmagnetic resonance imaging (MRI)or acomputed tomography (CT)scan, as well as neurological tests, may also be performed to rule out other potential causes (such astransient ischemic attack and stroke).
A diagnosis of familial hemiplegic migraine also requires that at least one first- or second- degree relative has had attacks that meet the diagnostic criteria.
Conversely, a diagnosis of sporadic hemiplegic migrainerequires thatnofirst- or second-degree relative has had attacks that meet the above criteria.
How rare are hemiplegic migraines?While migraines are common, affecting as much as 20% of the population, hemiplegic migraines are rare, only impacting around 0.01% of people.
How rare are hemiplegic migraines?
While migraines are common, affecting as much as 20% of the population, hemiplegic migraines are rare, only impacting around 0.01% of people.
Certain preventive medications commonly used to treat typical migraine with aura can be effective in treating hemiplegic migraines as well. These include:
To prevent hemiplegic migraine attacks, the following drugs may be prescribed for daily use:
Drugs that shouldnotbe used to manage hemiplegic migraines, because they can increase the risk of a stroke, include:
Typically, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), anti-nausea drugs, or opioids are used to ease the immediate symptoms of a hemiplegic migraine.
Summary
Hemiplegic migraines are a rare type of migraine that cause temporary motor problems, such as weakness on one side of the body, along with typical migraine symptoms like visual, sensory, or speech disturbances. Symptoms of hemiplegic migraine can mimic symptoms of other conditions such as stroke and epilepsy, so there’s no doubt that experiencing one of these episodes can be frightening.
Treatment includes preventive medications such as amitriptyline and acetazolamide. Getting a proper diagnosis and treatment is especially important with this form of migraine, so make sure to see a specialist who has experience with this rare condition.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Migraine Foundation.Hemiplegic migraine: symptoms and treatments.NHS.MigraineGenetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Familial or sporadic hemiplegic migraine. National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences.American Migraine Foundation.Hemiplegic Migraine: Symptoms and Treatments.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Hemiplegic Migraine.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Hemiplegic Migraine.Di Stefano V, Rispoli MG, Pellegrino N.Diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of hemiplegic migraine.Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry2020;91:764-771.Kumar A, Arora R.Hemiplegic Migraine. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; updated July 2024.Additional ReadingThe International Classification of Headache Disorders: 3rd Edition.Hemiplegic Migraine.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Migraine Foundation.Hemiplegic migraine: symptoms and treatments.NHS.MigraineGenetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Familial or sporadic hemiplegic migraine. National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences.American Migraine Foundation.Hemiplegic Migraine: Symptoms and Treatments.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Hemiplegic Migraine.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Hemiplegic Migraine.Di Stefano V, Rispoli MG, Pellegrino N.Diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of hemiplegic migraine.Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry2020;91:764-771.Kumar A, Arora R.Hemiplegic Migraine. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; updated July 2024.Additional ReadingThe International Classification of Headache Disorders: 3rd Edition.Hemiplegic Migraine.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Migraine Foundation.Hemiplegic migraine: symptoms and treatments.NHS.MigraineGenetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Familial or sporadic hemiplegic migraine. National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences.American Migraine Foundation.Hemiplegic Migraine: Symptoms and Treatments.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Hemiplegic Migraine.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Hemiplegic Migraine.Di Stefano V, Rispoli MG, Pellegrino N.Diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of hemiplegic migraine.Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry2020;91:764-771.Kumar A, Arora R.Hemiplegic Migraine. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; updated July 2024.
American Migraine Foundation.Hemiplegic migraine: symptoms and treatments.
NHS.Migraine
Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Familial or sporadic hemiplegic migraine. National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences.
American Migraine Foundation.Hemiplegic Migraine: Symptoms and Treatments.
National Organization for Rare Disorders.Hemiplegic Migraine.
Di Stefano V, Rispoli MG, Pellegrino N.Diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of hemiplegic migraine.Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry2020;91:764-771.
Kumar A, Arora R.Hemiplegic Migraine. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; updated July 2024.
The International Classification of Headache Disorders: 3rd Edition.Hemiplegic Migraine.
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