What Are the Dangers of Migraines?

Migraines can strike at any time due to an array of triggers such as foods, stress, sensory stimuli, emotional distress, hormone imbalances and physical activity. The intense pain and incapacitating symptoms of a migraine are dangerous to health and function.

• Migraines can be debilitating, potentially causing dangerous situations.

Significance

• Migraines cause painful, throbbing sensations that persist from one to four days, recurring cyclically or episodically, resulting in irritability and decreased energy levels that affect daily activities such as work, parenting and exercise.

Potential

• Migraine premonitions occur 30 minutes prior to the onset of a migraine, causing nausea, loss of appetite or sugar cravings that may interfere with dietary recommendations, dangerously spiking or lowering glucose levels.

Warning

• Migraines with aura are identified by visual disturbances of hallucinations, zigzagging lines, blind spots, halos, double vision and blurred vision, causing confusion and disorientation that affects eyesight, attention span and awareness.

Considerations

• Migraines are triggered by sensory stimuli such as flashing or bright lights, loud noises, repetitive sounds, chemical fumes or strong odors. Unexpected exposure can cause dangerous handling of vehicles or machinery.

Features

• Hemiplegic migraines are hereditary and particularly dangerous due to symptoms including lack of coordination, temporary paralysis and weakened musculature, hindering movement, causing injuries and increasing the chances of stroke.