Hemiplegic migraine headaches are rare and extremely powerful. They result from a gene mutation — either from your family or from your embryonic development — that changes how your brain sends and receives pain signals. To treat these headaches, you need to visit a headache specialist such as Dr. Amr Hosny of the Advanced Headache Center in one of eight New York City or northern New Jersey locations. Only a specialist trained in diagnosing and treating the various types of migraines and other headaches can accurately determine the cause of your headaches and effectively treat them. Call the nearest center today for a consultation.
A hemiplegic migraine is a rare type of incapacitating headache associated with gene mutations. Genes play a critical function in producing proteins to enable nerve communication within your brain. Mutations can cause faulty signals. Doctors identify abnormal variations in some genes as one cause of migraine headaches among members of the same family. This type of migraine affects your life because its debilitating symptoms include:
These symptoms mimic a stroke, so it’s not uncommon for you to be misdiagnosed if you don’t consult a migraine specialist. Dr. Amr Hosny is a board-certified and Harvard-trained migraine specialist at the Advanced Headache Center. With locations in New York City and Bergen County, New Jersey, this top headache center employs a multimodal approach to deliver the best migraine treatments.
There are two types of hemiplegic headaches. Before any treatment can begin, Dr. Hosny carries out diagnostic tests to determine the type of migraine you’re suffering from. The diagnostic process includes a review of your medical history to discover if you have a history of these severe headaches and a family history to see if other members of your family suffer from similar headaches. If the doctor diagnoses you with hemiplegic migraines, you can have one of the two hemiplegic migraine types:
In FHM, one person developed the gene mutation and passed it on to the family. In SHM, the gene mutation just occurred. An early diagnosis for your migraines is critical to determine the type of your headaches. At the headache centers in Manhattan and Paramus, NJ, the team uses the latest medical technology for effective diagnosis, after which you receive the best and most appropriate migraine treatment. The medical team not only treats migraines but other primary headaches, as well as secondary headaches.
Migraine triggers are the external factors that cause a migraine episode, which usually progresses through specific stages. These triggers occur external to your body, but they create a ripple effect inside your brain that leads to a migraine attack. Hemiplegic migraine triggers include:
By learning what your triggers are, you can take steps to avoid them. Keeping a headache journal is one way to narrow down your triggers, but a visit with a headache specialist helps you come to grips with your condition. Dr. Hosny delivers the best hemiplegic migraine treatment from his state-of-the-art offices.
Treatment for hemiplegic migraine starts with extensive diagnostics that may include a CT scan, an MRI, an echocardiogram, or an electroencephalogram to measure the electrical activity in your brain. Gene testing may be necessary if your family has a history of migraines and you want a firm FHM diagnosis. Effective treatments include:
Dr. Hosny uses an individualized treatment plan based on your diagnosis for the most effective results. He looks beyond the traditional treatments to provide you with alternative and integrative treatments for headache and migraine pain relief whenever possible. If you notice the warning signs of hemiplegic migraines, consult your doctor immediately. Contact the headache specialists at any of the eight locations in NYC and NJ to schedule a consultation.
