Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Jan 23: Migraine is not known to directly cause other medical conditions, but research shows that people who suffer from migraine are more likely to experience a range of other health issues. Doctors note that these associations are often stronger in individuals who experience migraine with aura — sensory disturbances such as flashes of light, blind spots or tingling sensations that may occur before or during a migraine attack.

Studies indicate that migraine sufferers have a slightly higher risk of stroke, particularly women, people below 45 years of age and those with aura. However, the risk declines considerably after the age of 50. Medical experts caution that stroke symptoms such as severe headache, vomiting and visual disturbances can sometimes be mistaken for migraine, but strokes usually strike suddenly, while migraine pain tends to build gradually.

Heart disease has also been linked to migraine. Men with migraine are more prone to heart disease and heart attacks, while women with migraine, especially those with aura, face a higher risk as well. Researchers have found that the frequency of migraine attacks does not significantly affect this risk.

While no strong evidence directly connects migraine with high blood pressure, some studies suggest that hypertension may increase the frequency of migraine headaches. Migraine sufferers are also at least twice as likely to experience seizures. Although migraine aura can resemble seizure symptoms, seizures usually last only a few minutes, whereas migraine aura may persist for up to an hour, with headaches lasting much longer.

Health experts have also observed a higher incidence of sudden hearing loss among people with migraine, though the condition remains rare. Migraine is commonly seen in patients with fibromyalgia, a disorder characterised by chronic pain and fatigue, but there is no proof that migraine causes the condition.

Mental health issues such as anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder are frequently reported among migraine patients. Some studies suggest that migraine with aura may further increase the likelihood of anxiety and depression. Research has also found that individuals with migraine are significantly more likely to suffer from PTSD.

Pregnancy-related complications have been linked to migraine in some studies, including a slightly higher risk of preterm birth, low birth weight and preeclampsia. Doctors advise women with migraine to consult specialists before planning pregnancy, as symptoms can worsen and treatment may need adjustment.

Digestive and sleep-related disorders are also more common among migraine sufferers. Research suggests a strong association between migraine and irritable bowel syndrome, possibly due to shared involvement of the brain chemical serotonin. Restless legs syndrome and insomnia are also seen more frequently, with sleep disturbances often triggering migraine attacks and migraines, in turn, disrupting normal sleep patterns.

In addition, conditions such as asthma have been linked to migraine, with inflammation believed to play a role in both disorders.

Doctors also warn that several serious medical conditions can mimic migraine symptoms. These include tension and sinus headaches, brain aneurysms, brain tumours, meningitis, glaucoma and rare neurological conditions such as reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome and idiopathic intracranial hypertension. In many of these cases, symptoms such as sudden severe headache, fever, vision loss or neurological deficits require immediate medical attention.

Health experts stress that while migraine is a common neurological disorder, persistent or unusual headache symptoms should never be ignored. Early diagnosis and timely medical care are crucial to rule out life-threatening conditions and ensure appropriate treatment.