Migraines May Impact the Brain Permanently
- 11 years ago
As if having a migraine headache isn’t bad enough, new research suggests that they permanently alter the structure of the brain.
As if having a migraine headache isn’t bad enough, new research suggests that they permanently alter the structure of the brain.
Victims of the severe headaches were found to have white matter abnormalities, stroke-like lesions, and areas that showed changes in volume.
This was true of all migraine sufferers, but those who experienced migraines with aura were more greatly impacted.
An aura is described as a precursor to the headache that comes in the way of flashing or zig zag lights, tingling sensations, and various other symptoms.
For the study, researchers collected 19 studies that involved subjects with migraines, both with and without aura.
They found that those whose headaches presented with aura were at a 68 percent increased risk of brain lesions compared to a 34 percent hike for those who reported none.
The doctors would like to next study how migraines might affect brain function.
It was said of the findings that most physicians don’t believe that the changes are anything to worry about.
Some also question whether the lesions and such were present prior to the onset of the headaches and possibly even a cause for them.
As if having a migraine headache isn’t bad enough, new research suggests that they permanently alter the structure of the brain.
Victims of the severe headaches were found to have white matter abnormalities, stroke-like lesions, and areas that showed changes in volume.
This was true of all migraine sufferers, but those who experienced migraines with aura were more greatly impacted.
An aura is described as a precursor to the headache that comes in the way of flashing or zig zag lights, tingling sensations, and various other symptoms.
For the study, researchers collected 19 studies that involved subjects with migraines, both with and without aura.
They found that those whose headaches presented with aura were at a 68 percent increased risk of brain lesions compared to a 34 percent hike for those who reported none.
The doctors would like to next study how migraines might affect brain function.
It was said of the findings that most physicians don’t believe that the changes are anything to worry about.
Some also question whether the lesions and such were present prior to the onset of the headaches and possibly even a cause for them.