Epilepsy
Epilepsy affects 3% of the general population at any given time, but about 10% of us will have had a seizure at some point in our lives
by the time we reach the age of 80.
Epileptics are 2.4 times more likely to develop migraine than the general population. This increased risk is equal for men and women.
No one type of seizure disorder is affected by this increased risk more than another. The relationship between epilepsy and migraine is
also bidirectional, that is, not only are you more likely to develop migraine if you have a seizure disorder; you are also more likely to
develop a seizure disorder if you have migraine.
Stroke
Women under the age of 45 with migraine are at an increased risk for stroke. This is particularly so for women who have migraine with
aura. This risk is further magnified if you smoke, or if you take oral contraceptives.
Raynaud's
Raynaud's disease affects 4-15% of the general population. The female to male predominance is 7:1. An association has been found
between Raynaud's and migraine. The symptoms are color changes in the fingers and toes in response to cold exposure. The digits
sometimes turn first white, then blue, and finally red as a reactive phase. Tingling and numbness can also occur. This happens because
of vasospasm, and it is important for your doctor to know about this, because it may affect the choice of medication used to treat your
migraines.
Beta-blockers, clonidine, and ergots are contra-indicated as they are vasoconstrictors and can make the condition worse. Smoking also
makes it worse. However, calcium channel blockers can be used to treat Raynaud's disease, and this is also a migraine preventative
agent. Biofeedback has also been used for Raynaud's, and is also useful in migraine.
This is a helpful link about Raynaud's: http://health.enotes.com/medicine-encyclopedia/raynauds-disease
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism has been found to be associated with chronic daily headache* in both the varieties of chronic migraine and new daily
persistent headache. In one study, 30% of individuals with hypothyroidism had developed mild daily headache within 1-2 months of
onset of the thyroid disorder. A history of migraine predisposed to the development of headache.
* This was chronic migraine without any evidence of medication overuse.
Epilepsy affects 3% of the general population at any given time, but about 10% of us will have had a seizure at some point in our lives
by the time we reach the age of 80.
Epileptics are 2.4 times more likely to develop migraine than the general population. This increased risk is equal for men and women.
No one type of seizure disorder is affected by this increased risk more than another. The relationship between epilepsy and migraine is
also bidirectional, that is, not only are you more likely to develop migraine if you have a seizure disorder; you are also more likely to
develop a seizure disorder if you have migraine.
Stroke
Women under the age of 45 with migraine are at an increased risk for stroke. This is particularly so for women who have migraine with
aura. This risk is further magnified if you smoke, or if you take oral contraceptives.
Raynaud's
Raynaud's disease affects 4-15% of the general population. The female to male predominance is 7:1. An association has been found
between Raynaud's and migraine. The symptoms are color changes in the fingers and toes in response to cold exposure. The digits
sometimes turn first white, then blue, and finally red as a reactive phase. Tingling and numbness can also occur. This happens because
of vasospasm, and it is important for your doctor to know about this, because it may affect the choice of medication used to treat your
migraines.
Beta-blockers, clonidine, and ergots are contra-indicated as they are vasoconstrictors and can make the condition worse. Smoking also
makes it worse. However, calcium channel blockers can be used to treat Raynaud's disease, and this is also a migraine preventative
agent. Biofeedback has also been used for Raynaud's, and is also useful in migraine.
This is a helpful link about Raynaud's: http://health.enotes.com/medicine-encyclopedia/raynauds-disease
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism has been found to be associated with chronic daily headache* in both the varieties of chronic migraine and new daily
persistent headache. In one study, 30% of individuals with hypothyroidism had developed mild daily headache within 1-2 months of
onset of the thyroid disorder. A history of migraine predisposed to the development of headache.
* This was chronic migraine without any evidence of medication overuse.
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