| There are several different types of migraines | | | | difficulty with balance. Hemiplegic migraines are |
| people suffer from, including both the classic and | | | | mainly genetic and there will normally be at least |
| common migraine. Of these different types of | | | | one direct family member who also suffers from |
| migraines there is an especially rare type known | | | | them. Given that many of these migraines are a |
| as the hemiplegic migraine. | | | | result of minor trauma to the head people likely |
| This type of migraine has very specific | | | | to suffer from this type of migraine should be |
| symptoms which include: | | | | advised against engaging in contact sports. In |
| - A sudden attack which occurs on one side of | | | | families where this condition is common onset |
| the body which may or may not include paralysis. | | | | often happens in childhood. The no contact sports |
| It typically happens during the aura period of the | | | | rule is therefore especially important for children in |
| migraine attack. | | | | these families. |
| - The weakness experienced often involves the | | | | Research has discovered several specific genetic |
| face, arm and leg of the person suffering the | | | | markers for the hemiplegic migraine. Screening is |
| migraine. | | | | not a prerequisite for identifying the problem but |
| - If the right side of the body is affected the | | | | is available on request. Of all the types of |
| speech of the person suffering the migraine may | | | | migraines this one is particularly frightening as its |
| become slurred or impaired. | | | | symptoms very closely mirror a stroke. The |
| - It can often be triggered by a mild head trauma. | | | | other problem is these migraines do not respond |
| - The paralysis is followed by the migraine | | | | well to most normal migraine medications. They |
| headache. | | | | often have to be treated as if the sufferer has |
| - It may also include symptoms like dizziness, | | | | epilepsy which necessitates more dangerous |
| vertigo, double vision, partial vision as well as | | | | medications than normal. |