Migraine and Epilepsy are two common ailments occurring in many of us. Before we move further on what migralepsy means, let’s understand
First: What a migraine is?
A neurological disease characterized by periodical headaches from moderate to severe pain on one side of the head.
Second: What epilepsy is?
A neurological disorder marked by sudden recurrent episodes of sensory disturbance, loss of consciousness, or convulsions, associated with abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
Migralepsy is a combination of a migraine and epilepsy, it is a rare illness caused when a migraine attack occurs and within an hour period the epileptic seizure follows. Epileptic seizure means a short-term signs or symptoms due to abnormal excessive or repetitive neural activity in the brain. Migralepsy is a rare disorder, however, it is more common in children than adults.
The signs, symptoms, and treatment are same for a migraine and epilepsy. Due to their similarities, they are often misdiagnosed for each other.
Symptoms for Migralepsy
- Flashes of light
- Geometric or animate forms
- Visual disturbances or hallucinations
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Loss of consciousness
- Convulsions
- Blindness
- Weakness or stiffness
- Slurring speech
- Lack of sleep
- Muscular coordination
- Fatigue
The connection between migraines and epileptic seizures is being researched and not much is known. However, not every migraine is complemented by an epileptic seizure, sometimes the epileptic seizure happens without the association of a migraine. Because of this, the origin of migralepsy is difficult to find out.
Treatment for Migralepsy
- Migraine specialists prescribe anticonvulsants such as Topamax
- Migralepsy is a combination of both migraine and epilepsy, the medications can be combined together in order to reduce the effects of both.
- Many antiepileptic medications also work as anti-migraines.
- Topiramate, propranolol are also helpful to control the occurrence
- Flunarizine either alone or in combination with propranolol is also effective to the control the occurrence of seizure during migraine attacks.
Also Read: What are Chronic Migraine and its treatments