What is Hemiplegic migraine?
Hemiplegic migraine is a rare subtype of migraine with aura, characterized by the presence of motor weakness as an aura manifestation at the time of migraine attack. Typically, migraine aura has visual symptoms as aura, but occasionally impairment in sensation or speech may also be seen.
Hemiplegic migraine is a rare disorder in which affected individuals experience a migraine headache along with weakness on one side of the body (hemiplegia).
Types of hemiplegic migraine:
There are two types of hemiplegic migraine. Which type you have is based on your family history of migraine:
- Familial hemiplegic migraine (FHM). This type affects at least two close relatives in the same family. If you have FHM, each of your children has a 50 percent Trusted Source chance of inheriting the condition.
- Sporadic hemiplegic migraine (SHM). SHM affects people who don’t have any family history of the condition.
A hemiplegic migraine episode causes symptoms like confusion and trouble speaking, which are similar to those of a stroke.
Symptoms
You may have early symptoms before the actual headache pain. Early symptoms called auras may cause:
- Short-term trouble with muscle control and sensation
- Severe, throbbing pain, often on one side of your head
- A pins-and-needles feeling, often moving from your hand up your arm
- Numbness on one side of your body, which can include your arm, leg, and half of your face
- Weakness or paralysis on one side of your body
- Loss of balance and coordination
- Dizziness or vertigo
- Nausea and vomiting
Other aura symptoms may include:
- Seeing zigzag lines, double vision, or blind spots
- Extreme sensitivity to light, sound, and smell
- Language difficulties, such as mixing words or trouble remembering a word
- Slurred speech
- Confusion
- Drowsiness or loss of consciousness
Causes
Genetic anomalies can cause both types of hemiplegic migraine. For FHM, certain foods,stress, or a minor head injury may also be a trigger.
As many as 12–60% of those who have migraine report that certain foods are a trigger. Foods that often cause a problem include:
- Alcohol
- Cheese
- Chocolate
Alcohol may contribute to migraine due to the increased risk of dehydration and the sleep disturbance it may cause.
Alcohol triggers vary, but migraine often occurs after consuming:
- Red wine
- Beer
- Sparkling wine
- Whiskey
Home remedies to treat Hemiplegic Migraine
Remedy – 1: Panchakarma therapy
Panchakarma therapy is meant to detoxify, or purify, the body. This is said to remove toxins contributing to your migraine.
Examples of purification treatments include:
- Pouring medicated oil into the nose (nasya karma)
- Whole body oil massage
- Eating medicated ghee
- Sweating therapy
Remedy – 2: Yoga
Yoga is an ancient practice that brings together your mind and body. It incorporates various breathing techniques and poses to promote relaxation.
By calming your mind and body, yoga helps ease stress and anxiety and may also reduce sensitivity to pain, including migraine pain.
Poses that may be especially beneficial for migraine relief include:
- Child’s Pose
- Downward-Facing Dog
- Bridge Pose
Remedy – 3: Essential Oil Anti-Pain Massage
Materials:
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) carrier oil (try almond, apricot, or olive)
- 3 to 5 drops peppermint essential oil
Procedure:
Place the oils in a clean, small jar. Cover tightly with a lid. Shake until combined. Massage into sore areas: neck, shoulders, jaw, or temples. Take care not to touch your eyes. When finished, lie down in a quiet place with your eyes shut.
Product Link: Essential Oils
Remedy – 4:Ksheera Ghrita
Ksheera Ghrita, which is essentially a glass of milk mixed with ghee, is a fantastic natural drink to effectively mend migraine headaches. The wealth of nutrients such as calcium, proteins, healthy fats, vitamin D and vitamin E all work in synergy, to uplift mood, stimulate the nervous system, enhance productivity and regulate metabolism, thus pacifying throbbing pain in the head due to migraines.
Remedy – 5 : Ginger-Feverfew Elixir
Materials:
- 2 cups (235 ml) water
- 1 teaspoon (3 g) finely grated fresh ginger,
- Packed 1 teaspoon (2 g) chopped fresh feverfew leaves, or 1⁄2 teaspoon dried Honey or agave nectar
Procedure:
Bring the water to a boil. Add the ginger and simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and add the feverfew leaves. Cover and steep for 15 to 20 minutes. Strain out the ginger and feverfew. Stir in honey to taste, and serve hot.
Product Link: Ginger-Feverfew Elixir
Remedy – 6: Honey-Cinnamon Coffee
Materials:
- 1 cup (235 ml) freshly brewed coffee
- 1⁄4 cup (60 ml) almond or other non dairy milk
- 1⁄4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons (40 g) honey
- 1⁄4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Procedure:
In a saucepan, combine the coffee, non dairy milk, and vanilla. Warm until hot, but do not boil. Stir in the honey until dissolved. Stir in the cinnamon.
Product Link: Honey with cinnamon
Remedy -7: Put It on Ice
Materials:
1⁄2 cup (115 g) crushed ice
3 drops lavender essential oil
Procedure:
Place the ice in a resealable plastic bag and seal.(A good substitute is a bag of frozen peas or corn.) Wrap the bag of ice in a damp washcloth and secure it with a safety pin. Dot the essential oil onto the cloth and spread across the cloth with your fingertips. Apply the wrapped bag to the painful area, with the cloth against your skin.
Product Link: Lavender essential oil
Preventions
Your first step in preventing silent migraines is to identify your triggers. To do this, keep a migraine diary and write down when each migraine occurred, how long it lasted, and what you were doing before and when it struck. Be sure to note any foods or beverages you consumed, as well as any medications you took before the migraine began.
Once you’ve identified your triggers, you should avoid them. This may mean modifying your diet or avoiding noisy social situations.
Take these steps to get on a regular sleep schedule and prevent insomnia:
- Go to bed at the same time each night.
- Avoid caffeine and other stimulants.
- Keep your bedroom cool and dark at night.
- Consider investing in a fan or white noise machine to block out noises that may keep you awake.
- If you’re a smoker and get migraines, you should try to quit.
