| Visual migraine is a type of migraine known also | | | | Certainly, this is not fatal nor does it cause any |
| as ocular migraine and ophthalmic migraine. Similar | | | | damage to the brain or eyes. And since no pain |
| to the common migraine, its cause is vascular; | | | | comes with it, treatment is usually unnecessary |
| that is, it involves the blood vessels. Whereas the | | | | unless a headache arises during an episode. |
| typical migraine affects the arteries located in the | | | | However, if the attacks are frequent, medications |
| surface of the brain, it affects the veins that | | | | may have to be administered. If the visual |
| supply blood to the vision center. | | | | migraine occurs with a headache, |
| During a visual migraine episode, the sufferer | | | | over-the-counter medicines like ibuprofen and |
| experiences visual disturbances that typically last | | | | naproxen can be taken to relieve the pain. In |
| for fifteen to thirty minutes. It usually starts as a | | | | addition, non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs |
| shimmering light with a semi-circular shape and | | | | (NSAID) and aspirin are known to prevent these |
| jagged edges, seen in the peripheral vision and | | | | migraine attacks because they help keep the |
| later expands to become more central. The ability | | | | arteries in their normal size. Medications should be |
| to see is obscured within the jagged area. A | | | | taken as soon as the first sign of the aura is felt. |
| headache may accompany the disturbance but | | | | During the attack, the vision may be so |
| does not occur in all cases. The more common | | | | hampered that doing other activities could be |
| symptoms that come with this are nausea and | | | | impossible. In these times, the patient should relax |
| vomiting and a heightened sensitivity to light. | | | | and wait for the said migraine to end. Bright lights |
| Although the root cause of this particular migraine | | | | and sounds should be avoided because they could |
| is not known, some of its common triggers are | | | | potentially worsen the symptoms. |
| identified as fatigue, depression, dehydration, | | | | Having a visual migraine attack, though most of |
| eyestrain, stress, alcohol, certain foods, and a | | | | the times painless, can be frightening, especially |
| shift in estrogen levels. | | | | for those who experience it for the first time. If |
| Diagnosing visual migraine may require visits to | | | | anyone encounters any of the symptoms |
| the ophthalmologist and neurologist. This is to | | | | associated with this type of migraine, he should |
| make sure that the visual disturbances are not | | | | consult his physician immediately. This migraine, by |
| caused by an underlying eye condition such as a | | | | itself, usually requires no treatment but the |
| detached retina or a blood clot in the brain. Once | | | | symptoms could be signs of a more serious |
| this has been established, then proper treatment | | | | condition. Knowing about a disease and how to |
| can be provided. | | | | deal with it is the best treatment of all. |