Most scientists believe that the causes of ocular migraines are quite similar to those of a traditional migraine. The only difference is the change in the area impacted by the blood supply. Traditional migraines usually generate from the surface area of the brain, but the cause of ocular migraines is the reduction in the blood supply to the vision center of the brain.
Some of the main causes of ocular migraine include anxiety, chocolates, travel, lack of sleep, bright lights, and artificial sweeteners. Additionally, caffeine more specifically highly sweetened coffee drinks have been test and show to trigger sever ocular migraines. In fact, a more common ocular migraine cause is a food or environmental trigger – so it’s best to try to identify and avoid them. Seasonal allergies can also act as triggers. Additional ocular migraine causes are certain foods, alcohol consumption, medications, or changes in hormone levels due to menstruation.
Ocular Migraines: Do You Have Them?
Saddly enough about 28 million Americans each year suffer from migraines every year according to statistics. The most common symptoms of a traditional migraine are powerful head pains, nausea and sensitivity to light. But did you know that there are 150 diagnostic headache categories? Ocular migraines are only one type of migraine that involves the eyes, with or without an accompanying headache. Image distortion generally begins in the center of the image and then moves to one side. Temporary vision lost along with images "greying out" or looking wave may occur. This type of migraine usually starts with the small blind spot within the peripheral vision, and the spot increases gradually over five to ten minutes to encompass the full peripheral portion of the vision, resulting in object fuzziness or complete blindness.
Ways To Avoid Ocular Migraines
Make sure that you eat regular small meals as hunger can sometimes trigger the ocular episode. Tai Chi, yoga, and mediation are excellent methods to reducing stress which is one of the leading causes of ocular migraines.
At the onset of ocular migraine, it can be very disturbing to become slowly blind in one eye, but the key is to keep calm. Find a quiet and dark place, and rest for 20 to 30 minutes. If you suffer from frequent ocular migraines, consult your doctor to identify and then eliminate the causes of ocular migraine. A simple analgesic such as aspirin may provide the immediate relief. Cafergot is the combination of caffeine and tartrate, and is usually quite helpful. Ergotamine is another medication that is useful in treating migraines; on top of that it can also relieve headaches and additional side effects ike tingling, nausea, vomiting and cramps.
