-
. . . more people died
from Migrainous Stroke last year than were murdered by handguns.1
Unfortunately, those who suffer with migraine disorder or other headache disorders are all to used to not being taken seriously. A doctor recently said to one of our forum members that, "migraine isn't really a health issue as much as a quality of life issue." Were it within my power, I'd revoke his license to practice medicine -- after I slapped him silly, of course. Is it any wonder that migraineurs often don't realize the possibly serious ramifications of migraine attacks when their doctors make such uneducated comments?
Recently, a young woman who participates in our forums and chats was in the throes of a multi-day migraine attack. Her medications hadn't helped, and she had not sought emergency care. A few days later, I received an email from her mother telling me that on the seventh day of her migraine, the young woman began having seizures, and is now in a coma. Tests indicate that she has had a stroke.
Migraine and the degree to which it increases risk of stroke is a topic on which expert opinions vary. There is, however, agreement that migraine does increase the risk, and that status migrainousus increases the risk even further.
According to the International Headache Society criteria, when the headache phase of a migraine attack lasts more than 72 hours, whether it is treated or not, it is termed "status migrainousus:"
- head pain may be continuous through the attack or interrupted by headache-free periods of less than four hours
- relief while sleeping is disregarded
- some triggers of status migrainousus are diet, hormones, depression, and overuse of medications (rebound)
- "Patients with status migrainousus need
aggressive treatment ... The principles of treatment for status
migrainousus include the following:
- fluid and electrolyte replacement
- drug detoxification
- IV pharmacotherapy to control pain
- treatment of associated symptoms of nausea and vomiting
- concurrent implementation of migraine prophylaxis (if indicated). . .
- After acute treatment is completed, many patients with status migrainousus require continuing care. . ."2
MAGNUM, The National
Migraine Association, has an excellent mission statement. One section of it
reads:
"To make persons aware that Migraine is not a benign disorder. For example, 27% of all strokes suffered by persons under the age of 45 are caused by Migraine. (Stroke is the third leading cause of death in this country.) In fact, more people died from Migrainous stroke last year than were murdered by handguns."
