Similarities Between Epilepsy and Migraines
Both epilepsy and migraine are episodic disorders linked to bursts of electrical activity. People affected by these medical conditions experience occasional episodes followed by recovery. Epileptic seizures and migraine attacks can share the same cause or risk factor, such as brain injuries. Genetic factors may also put individuals at a higher risk of an epileptic seizure or a migraine attack.
Epilepsy and migraine share the following common characteristics:
- Headaches
- Stomach Pain and Nausea
- Numbness in the arms and legs
Furthermore, some of the same trigger factors can lead to a migraine attack and an epileptic seizure, including the following:
Epilepsy and migraine share the following common characteristics:
- Excessive stress
- Changes in the person’s sleep patterns
- Alcohol or drug abuse
- Not taking medications as prescribed
What Is Migralepsy?
Migralepsy is a relatively new term defining the co-occurrence of seizures and migraines, sometimes with an aura. Not all medical experts recognise migralepsy as an official diagnosis. According to the Epilepsy Foundation, similar atypical patterns of brain activity can cause seizures and migraine attacks, and they are both episodic disorders. Since migralepsy refers to a combination of migraine and epilepsy symptoms, the medical treatment usually consists of joint migraine therapy and epilepsy support.
According to prior studies, most epilepsy medicines can also control and reduce migraine episodes. While there is still no cure, individuals with migralepsy can improve their overall well-being with adequate medication and person-centred specialist care.
Symptoms of Mygralepsy
For most people with migralepsy, the migraine episode starts with an aura. The aura period can last from several minutes to hours before the headache and other symptoms appear. The individual will gradually experience different neurological symptoms.
You may experience one or multiple of the following signs:
- Visual indications – wavy lines or zigzag patterns around your point of focus that could spread across your entire field of vision over time
- Sensory signs – numbness, tingling, pins and needles
- Weakness in the muscles
- Involuntary movements – twitching, jerking
- Speech disturbances – such as slowed speech or inability to speak
- Unresponsiveness and lack of awareness of one’s surroundings
Can Migraines Cause Epilepsy?
Migraine and epilepsy often co-occur, but there is no evidence which suggests migraines can cause epilepsy. Some medical experts think seizure symptoms and migraine signs are similar and easy to mistake for one another. Aura symptoms often happen before an epileptic seizure, and migraines can also cause auras.
Can Epilepsy Cause Migraines?
Several types of seizures can cause headaches and migraine episodes, including tonic-clonic seizures, complex partial seizures, focal seizures, and temporal lobe seizures. A person can experience headaches as painful as a migraine before an epileptic seizure. They are called pre-ictal headaches and signalise the imminent start of a seizure. People with epilepsy can also experience strong headaches after a seizure, also called post-ictal migraines. These headaches are more common and occur in almost half of all people with epilepsy.
Can a Migraine Attack Cause Someone to Have a Seizure?
In some cases, a strong migraine attack may be a possible trigger for a seizure. Migraine attacks with an aura can cause an epileptic seizure called an aura-triggered seizure. Common migraine symptoms might also play the role of seizure triggers. For instance, the flashing lights during a migraine aura might lead to an epileptic seizure.
Is there a Connection Between Migraines and Epilepsy?
Not enough information is currently available on the connection between migraines and epilepsy, and research on this topic is ongoing. While there are links between migraines and epilepsy, and the two conditions often co-occur, not enough evidence shows whether there is a connection. Many individuals have relatives with migraines or seizures, leading to the conclusion that migralepsy may be a genetic condition that runs in families.
Can Seizures Cause Memory Loss?
Epilepsy can commonly affect memory because of the abnormal activity it causes in the frontal or temporal lobes of the brain. However, all types of seizures can lead to memory problems, whether they are related to focal epilepsy (affecting a specific brain area) or generalised (affecting the entire brain). The type and severity of memory loss depend on the cause of epilepsy and the brain area that is primarily affected by your seizures.
For instance, temporal lobe seizures often affect attention and focus, leading to difficulties absorbing new information. On the other hand, frontal lobe epilepsy causes trouble recalling information and events from the past. All in all, seizures affect everyone differently, and individuals should consult a medical professional if they are worried about memory loss.
The Memory After a Seizure
People with seizures often have little or no memory of their behaviour during a seizure. This happens due to the brain’s inability to store new information during an epileptic episode or seizure activity. It can take some time for brain activity to fully recover after a seizure, and the ability to memorise events can be disrupted until the person’s complete recovery.
Right after an episode, a person usually experiences confusion, brain fog, and difficulty recalling recent events. Everyone needs a different amount of time to regain their memory after a seizure. The length of time the brain requires to regain its usual function usually depends on the type of seizure (focal or generalised).
Can Migraine Cause Memory Loss?
Frequent migraine episodes can also lead to memory problems. Many people experience brain fog or haziness at the beginning of a migraine attack. These symptoms can last from several hours to a few days. Temporary memory loss and confusion related to migraine can develop around two days before the headaches and continue the next day after the pain is alleviated. People with migraine and epilepsy can also feel forgetful, distracted, less focused, and unable to complete everyday tasks.
Get Humanised Support and Care With Leaf Complex Care
At Leaf Complex Care, we take a humanised, person-centred approach to assisting individuals with epilepsy and migraines. Our impact-driven, dedicated support workers deliver proactive care services to individuals in the comfort of their own homes, helping the people we serve to stay in their familiar surroundings, close to their loved ones.
We always prioritise the wishes of the individuals we support while respecting their privacy and dignity. Our trained support workers carefully outline a care plan that includes your boundaries and preferences, and we also work closely with your healthcare team.
If you need a CQC-regulated care provider for yourself or a loved one with migraine and epilepsy, Leaf Complex Care is the right place for you.
We offer personalised home care services in Bristol, South East, Somerset and the Midlands. Contact us today, and we will create a tailored support plan catering to your needs.
