Understanding and Managing Ocular Migraine: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

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You see strange colors, shapes or flashes of light? Then you may be experiencing eye migraines. But what is that actually and why?

Just like regular migraines, there is also an ocular migraine. If you undergo this, you will usually have an attack lasting up to an hour. This is an attack that can occur in one eye, but also in both eyes.

Complaints of ocular migraine

An ocular migraine does not necessarily have to involve a headache. This specifically concerns eye complaints, writes Womens Health and this is also evident from the explanation of the Eye Fund. What complaints are those? Seeing black spots, streaks, or other angular shapes. You may also experience flashes of light and your vision may decrease. In addition, a person may have difficulty speaking, become nauseous, experience tingling arms and/or legs or hear a buzzing sound.

Ocular migraines can precede a regular migraine attack. The eye complaints are actually a warning signal. But some people only experience the ocular migraine attacks.

Causes of ocular migraines

Just like migraines, all kinds of causes can be the reason for eye migraines. There are a number of common causes:

• Stress
• Heredity
• Smoking
• Certain foods (caffeine, chocolate or alcohol)
• Certain smells
• Negative emotions
• Fatigue
• Too long focus, for example on a screen or book
• Physical exercise.
• Change in blood flow in the brain
• Hormone fluctuations (menstruation, pregnancy or menopause)
• The pill
• Overweight

Women and hormone fluctuations

Ocular migraines appear to be more common in women than in men. Women have higher estrogen levels, especially if they take the contraceptive pill, for example. A higher estrogen level can cause hormone fluctuations. These fluctuations in turn increase the risk of an ocular migraine attack.

As with regular migraines, ‘cure’ is a complicated issue. There is no cure for ocular migraines, but you can be careful with possible triggers. Should your ocular migraine complaints persist or be too intense? Then it is advisable to consult a GP.

Examination by doctor

Ophthalmologist Rupa Wong explained one of her videos also explains what eye migraine entails, but advises that you always have your symptoms checked by a doctor. To be sure that there cannot be another underlying cause. “A minor stroke or blood clots can also cause similar symptoms.” That’s why Wong advises to err on the side of caution when in doubt and get yourself examined.

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Comments

2024-01-03 13:57:45
#strange #colors #shapes #eye #migraine