Complex migraine can refer to a migraine that causes atypical, stroke-like symptoms such as aura. Doctors typically use more specific terms to refer to these types of migraines. “Complex migraine” is not a term that doctors use. Instead, they use the term “migraine with aura.” this type of migraine attack causes temporary paralysis or weakness on one side of the body, similar to symptoms of a stroke.
Why do people develop complex migraines?
Some people may be able to link their complex migraines to certain triggers. Examples of common migraine triggers include:
Eating certain foods
Excessive sleep
Smelling strong smells
Certain medications
Bright lights or loud noises
Hormonal changes, particularly in women
However, there are also times when a person can’t link their migraine back to any one cause. This can make migraine more challenging to prevent.
Risk factors
Risk factors for migraine with aura may include:
Sex:
Migraine with aura is more common in females than males.
Age:
Migraine with aura can occur at any age but is more common during puberty until the mid-to-late 30s. Its prevalence decreases later in life, particularly after menopause.
Family history:
Migraine with aura may be heritable so people may be at a higher risk if they have a family history. People with parents who experience hemiplegic migraine a subtype of migraine with aura have a 50% chance of developing it themselves.
Not everyone with these risk factors will experience migraines with aura, which can occur in people without known risk factors. To get information about FUPA and related terms.
Symptoms
Complex migraine symptoms can vary from person to person. However, this migraine type usually has two phases. The first phrase is an aura episode. The aura phase typically begins shortly before a migraine occurs. Symptoms of complex migraine include:
Changes in your ability to think clearly
Difficulty speaking or difficulty speaking clearly
Weakness on one side of the body that ranges from mild to severe.
Vision changes, including blind spots, or double vision
Following an aura comes a migraine. Migraine causes symptoms such as:
Nausea
Vomiting
Sensitivity to light and sound
Throbbing, intense headache pain
Treatment
Treatment for migraine with aura may include:
Medications:
A healthcare professional may recommend medications to help manage the headache and other symptoms. This may include over-the-counter pain relief such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, or prescription medications.
Physical therapy:
Physical therapy can help improve muscle strength and function if paralysis or weakness occurs due to a migraine with aura.
Other treatments:
Depending on the severity of a person’s migraine and other factors, healthcare professionals may recommend complementary treatments, such as acupuncture or relaxation techniques.
Prevention
If you can link your migraine to environmental triggers like the smell of cigarette smoke or drinking red wine you can usually avoid these to prevent complex migraine. To treat complex migraines, doctors may also prescribe medications that may help brain chemistry.
Examples of preventive treatments may include:
Beta-blockers
Antiseizure medications
Calcium channel blockers
If you rarely have migraines, doctors don’t usually recommend the above treatment. Preventive medications are usually reserved for people who have migraine days frequently, which interfere with their daily activities.
