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Migraine With Aura Can Double Stroke Risk for Women
November 3, 2009 at 8:01 AM by Cafe Kim - Comments (6)
Do you get migraines? If so, I can definitely empathize: They can really be excruciating. Getting migraines is bad enough. But now there's new research showing that for women who suffer migraine headaches with aura AND smoke AND use oral contraceptives, the risk for stroke may be doubled.
The fact that there is a connection between migraines with aura (or visual disturbance) and stroke is nothing new. Researchers have long known that migraine with aura is associated with a twofold increased risk for stroke compared to people without migraine.
What was unknown, however, is who is most at risk. Women are up to four times more likely than men to get migraines; moreover, one-third of females with migraines also experience aura before or during a migraine.
Now, experts now believe that in addition to being a female experiencing migraines with aura, being under 45, smoking, and using oral contraceptives that contain estrogen are all factors that can increase a person's risk of stroke.
If you fall into this category, doctors say there is no reason to panic. But modifying the risk factors within your control (smoking and oral contraceptives) is recommended.
Do you get migraines? How do you deal with them?
Got a Headache? Try Acupuncture
Headache Remedies: No Drugs Needed
FILED UNDER: birth control, general health, healthy habits, in the news
Comments:
I've suffered migrianes with aura since I was 4 years old. I've never nor will I smoke and I've yet to take birth control and by the sounds of it I might be better off with other methods....I'm already screwed with it, don't want to add more chance, KWIM
I too get migraines. I had one a few years ago where I thought I was having a stroke -- my left arm, side of face, and tongue went numb and I lost vision. I went to the hospital and I after a CAT scan and tests, they determined I had a migraine with stroke symptoms -- I didn't even have a headache at all ... until the next day. I don't smoke, but at the time I was on birth control. It was very frightening.
Michele--That is so scary! I've had loss of vision, but nothing to that extent. Did they tell you how to prevent something like that again? Or is there nothing you can really do?
And I was on the subway by myself when it happened!!!
I had a few glasses of red wine the night before and they told me to avoid too much wine and not enough water. Other than that, there was no preventative they told me about.
This disturbed me.... I often have optic migraines...so that's sorta scary.
Though on a happier note, I don't smoke nor take contraceptive pills.
At least stroke doesn't run in my family --- that's a good thing.
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I have suffered from migraines for about 15 years. I do not smoke, and am no longer on birth control. Sometimes I have the "aura" or "fragmented vision" with migraines, but more often I don't. How do I deal with them? well..... if I can head them off by resting and taking some meds sometimes they are not too bad, but if I am not able to rest or take anything quickly I can suffer for anywhere from 12-72 hours. Not cool.
KTMOM Nov. 3, 2009 at 9:32 AM