BAM in The News
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.
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