Basilar Migraine: Triggers, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention

Millions of Americans suffer from migraines every year, but one specific type of migraine comes with some trippy visual symptoms.

Basilar migraines are a strange phenomenon, not well understood in the conventional medical community. These migraines start in the brain stem and are preceded by an “aura,” which is a set of visual symptoms, like seeing flashing lights that are not actually there.

It can be important to recognize the symptoms of a basilar migraine as well as discuss the potential causes of this medical condition.

The pharmaceutical industry thrives on masking symptoms but leaving root causes untouched. That way, the underlying cause keeps causing problems, and you have to continue buying medication.

At Denver Upper Cervical Care,  our patients  actually get better. Each person’s body has the ability to heal — if we simply address the root cause.

Basilar migraines are a bit mysterious, but there are several known risk factors that you can reduce. You can also learn about the 16 best treatment options if you read below.

Basilar migraines are a migraine type that lasts about an hour and begins in your brain stem.

Scientists are not 100% sure what exactly the cause is. Many believe basilar migraines occur due to vasoconstriction, or the narrowing of blood vessels. The muscular wall of the vessel tightens and constricts blood flow.

These types of migraines are sometimes called basilar artery migraines because some believe that a spasm of the  basilar artery  might be the main culprit behind these migraine attacks. Actually, this is a less and less common theory, and “basilar migraine” is no longer the recommended term.

What is a migraine with brainstem aura?  Migraine with brainstem aura is the most recent term recommended for use by the International Headache Society (IHS). However, both “basilar migraine” and “migraine with brainstem aura” can still be used interchangeably at this point.

An aura can be scary the first time you experience it. A typical aura occurs less than an hour before the head pain starts.

A migraine aura is a  set of visual symptoms  that can accompany a migraine. All basilar migraines come with aura symptoms.

Basilar migraines are sometimes called Bickerstaff migraines, named after Edwin R. Bickerstaff  who first identified  the condition in 1961.

Are basilar migraines dangerous?  This relatively rare type of migraine headache  can  be dangerous. Basilar migraines seem to increase your risk of ischemic stroke, especially in women who take contraceptives.

Also, basilar migraines can decrease your level of consciousness or awareness. This means you don’t want to get a basilar migraine while you’re driving. 

There are several medical conditions easily confused with basilar migraines. A clinical diagnosis is very important to distinguish between a basilar-type migraine and a brain disorder.

To rule out neurological diseases, you may need to see a neurologist. The neurologist may administer a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan or computer tomography (CT) scan to rule out a number of brain disorders, or an electroencephalogram (EEG) to rule out seizures.

Basilar migraines are similar in nature to familial hemiplegic migraines.  Hemiplegic migraines  uniquely include weakness on one side of your body, as well as trouble speaking. A clear diagnosis will distinguish between the two.

Scientists do not know exactly why basilar migraines occur. But there are certain risk factors that have been attributed to basilar migraine attacks:

Also, it is worth noting that basilar headaches are more prevalent in females than males. Though basilar migraines have been observed appearing for the first time in patients as old as 62, these migraines typically affect adolescents and young adults.

Are basilar migraines hereditary?  Typically, NO, basilar migraines are not inherited via genetic features.

However, in very rare cases, propensity towards basilar migraines can be due to a genetic mutation (in the  ATP1A2  or  CACNA1A  genes). In these rare situations, a parent has a 50% chance of passing that susceptibility of basilar migraines on to a child.

How do you stop basilar migraines? Your body is a robust system, more than capable of healing itself if you are able to identify and address the underlying issue.

While we figure out how to resolve the root cause of your basilar migraine, there are also some easy methods to find pain relief.

Always talk to your doctor before starting any new medication or major lifestyle changes.

If you live in the greater Denver area,  click here  to request an appointment at Denver Upper Cervical Chiropractic. For your convenience, we reserve Fridays for out-of-town patients.

Note: Blood pressure medications are also a  potential  cause of basilar headaches, so you should not rely too heavily on them.

Even though these will not prevent migraine attacks, you can take these symptom relievers as soon as you feel aura or migraine symptoms to prevent symptoms from spiraling out of control.

These all-natural headache pain relievers just scratch the surface. There are dozens of supplements and essential oils that may improve your symptoms while you treat the source.

If you have basilar migraines, over-the-counter medication, rest, chiropractic care, and some simple lifestyle changes should relieve the headache pain.

However, if your migraine symptoms or aura symptoms make daily tasks difficult, see your doctor right away. If a migraine makes you lose consciousness, it is time to visit the ER.

The post Basilar Migraine: Triggers, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention appeared first on Denver Upper Cervical Chiropractic.