This page contains the text of an article that recently appeared
in the Philadelphia Enquirer. The article deals with the subject
of Basilar Artery Migraine, and discusses the risks associated with
this disorder, including the risk of stroke. This may not seem like
big news to some, but to me it marks a new age for BAM sufferers
the world over; I hope this is only the beginning, and that we'll
see more and more publicity on Basilar Artery Migraine from now
on.
Many thanks to Michael John Coleman, Executive Director of M.A.G.N.U.M.,
the national migraine lobby, who called me in December 1998 to tell
me of this article. He and I are both very pleased to see BAM in
the news, and, more specifically, we are pleased that the risks
and potential dangers of this type of migraine variant are becoming
more widely known. M.A.G.N.U.M. has been a great supporter of my
efforts here, and we share many common goals in hoping to educate
the public and the medical community, and to bring help and support
to those who suffer from migraine and BAM.
Health & Science
Ask Dr. H. By Mitchell Hecht
Question: My daughter had a sudden headache with loss
of the use of her right side, slurring of speech, and facial muscle
weakness. Hospital tests indicated that she hadn't had a stroke.
About five weeks later, she was again hospitalized with the same
symptoms. She was finally diagnosed as having an unusual type of
a migraine headache, known as a basilar artery migraine. What can
you tell me about this?
Answer: This is a very interesting and unusual type
of migraine headache, because it's one of those rare examples of
a migraine that can cause "mini-strokes" or even a stroke.
Basilar artery migraines are pretty rare, occurring
in 1 out of every 500 clinically diagnosed migraine cases. In a
migraine headache, there's an initial abnormal dilation of blood
vessels in the brain, followed by a spasm of the blood vessel with
a transient decrease in blood flow.
The basilar artery is located in the back of the head.
It serves the part of the brain that includes the visual center
and the cerebellum, or balance center.
Double-vision, vertigo, and a loss of balance with
an unsteady gait are therefore frequent symptoms in a basilar artery
migraine. Branches of the basilar artery also are involved in hearing,
and so symptoms of ringing in the ears or decreased hearing may
be present. Other symptoms can include one-sided eyelid drooping;
weakness or paralysis of one side of the body; amnesia; confusion;
even loss of consciousness.
If the migraine isn't treated, and the symptoms persist,
the prolonged deficiency of blood can ultimately result in a stroke.
In terms of what we can do, preventive medication is the best strategy.
Since there's a definite risk of stroke if the symptoms become severe,
drugs such as aspirin, Ticlid, Plavix, or blood thinners such as
Coumadin are generally prescribed. Propranolol, a blood pressure
medication, is a widely used preventive agent to help counteract
basilar artery spasms. Drugs such as caffeine, Ergotamine, Fiorinal,
Fioricet, Imitrex, tranquilizers, codeine, and Demerol have varying
degrees of success and risk.
To learn more, you can contact the National Migraine
Disease Awareness Group at 703-739-9384.
Mitchell Hecht is a physician specializing in internal
medicine. Send questions to him at: Box 767787, Atlanta, GA. 30076.
For a personal reply, include a stamped, self-addressed envelope.
