How to Tell the Difference Between A Stroke and A Migraine

Have you had a massive headache? How did you know if it was caused by a migraine or a stroke?

Severe migraines and strokes can have very similar symptoms, share similar characteristics, and in some medical settings can be misdiagnosed for each other. Transient ischemic attacks (TIA) also known as “mini-strokes,” can have symptoms that are very similar to migraines with aura, including speech impairment, muscle weakness, and visual disturbances.

In this article, we will explore the differences between the two, so that you can provide better information to medical intervenors, should you or someone close to you suffer from either condition.

What is a stroke?

A stroke occurs when blood circulation to a part of the brain is interrupted either due to internal bleeding (hemorrhagic stroke) or a clot in the artery (ischemic stroke). Because blood flow is stopped, brain cells are deprived of oxygen and nutrients, and the brain starts to weaken and eventually loses function.

Typical symptoms of stroke:

• Headache
• Weakness
• Numbness on the face, extremities, or on one side of the body
• Vision loss
• Dizziness or disorientation
• Slurred speech
• Confusion

TIA are often mistaken for a migraine because the flow of blood to the brain is restricted only for a short time. Usually lasting for an hour or less, mini-strokes have less severe symptoms than a regular stroke.

What is a migraine?

Migraines are characterized by recurrent head pains and other symptoms, like extreme headache, vomiting, nausea, or sensitivity to smell, light, touch, or sound. Migraines often include a pulsating or throbbing pain on one side of your head, temples, or around the eye. A migraine with aura can be confused with a stroke; this happens more often as individuals age.

• What is an ‘aura?’

An ‘aura’ refers to neurological symptoms that happen immediately before a migraine episode. Here are some ways migraine with aura can affect your senses:

• Vision – you may see zig-zagged lines, light flashes, or blind spots
• Speech – you may experience stuttering
• Sensations – a tingling feeling on the skin, strange smells, or numbness in your face, arms, or legs
• Hearing – you may hear ringing in your ears

Similarities between Strokes and Migraines

Since stroke and migraine share common symptoms, no single trait distinguishes one from the other. Each illness exhibits several features, and not all will be present with every event, and some symptoms may overlap.

Shared symptoms of migraines and strokes and how they can differ:

• Feeling unwell – Stroke victims often are unable to articulate their symptoms; those who have migraine attacks can describe the uncomfortable symptoms they experience.
• Pain – Migraines come with gradual head pains; strokes cause sudden, overwhelming agony.
• Vision changes – The loss of vision that patients experience in migraine is described as squiggly lines or flashing lights, a stroke may cause blurred, blackened, or double-vision in one or both eyes.
• Vertigo – Both conditions cause a spinning sensation or dizziness; stroke patients are more likely to experience problems maintaining physical balance and coordination.
• Disorientation – Stroke and migraine can cause disorientation. However, disorientation in stroke is described as confusion, while that of migraine is a result of pain.
• Hypertension – A sudden increase in blood pressure can trigger stroke or migraine if a patient is predisposed to such conditions.
• Other physical symptoms – Stroke usually causes a combination of symptoms, like numbness and weakness on one side of the body, partial vision loss, or speech difficulties. Migraines aren’t linked to numbness, weakness, or trouble speaking; in some cases, however, it might cause these symptoms.

Differences 

While the two conditions have similar symptoms, stroke and migraine also have many differences in risks, triggers, recurrences, and treatment.

• Migraines usually have triggers – These triggers include stress, inadequate sleep, diet, hormonal changes, chemicals, and loud noises. A stroke is caused by a blot clot cutting off blood flow in an artery, or (rarely) by a burst or leaking blood vessel.
• Stroke risk increases with age – Ageing individuals aged 60 and above with heart disease, blood disorders, high cholesterol levels, or hypertension are more prone to stroke. These are not risk factors in migraines, which is usually common among people in their 20s or 30s.
• Migraines don’t last long –  The most significant difference between a stroke and migraine is the duration of their episodes. A stroke is caused by a lack of blood supply to the brain and can cause permanent disability. Migraines are temporary and improve over time without damaging the brain.
• Migraines recur – Unlike a stroke, migraines are a recurring event. With your first attack, you may or may not experience neurological deficits like weakness, altered sensations, or loss of vision; however, symptoms often increase in number and intensity with subsequent episodes.

Treatment

• Migraines

Migraines have no cure; the headaches that come with the condition can be managed, however. Effective pain management strategies include:

• • Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol), aspirin, and anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), triptans, and ergot derivatives
  • Medication to prevent episodes, including anticonvulsants, antidepressants, and beta-blockers. For women who experience migraines associated with menstrual cycles, hormone therapy can prove effective as well.
  • Lifestyle changes, like eating a healthy diet, regular exercise, and reducing caffeine and alcohol intake.
  • Acupuncture can help, in many instances. Acupuncture corrects the normal flow of bodily energies to relieve pain and other adverse symptoms.

• Stroke

A stroke is a medical emergency. Call 9-1-1 for immediate attention if you are having stroke symptoms.

A CT-scan is necessary to diagnose a stroke accurately; however, paramedics and ER specialists are trained in early-intervention techniques that can minimize long-term health impacts and, in some cases, permit a near-full recovery.

Patients generally have some degree of disability following a stroke and need to undergo physiotherapy (or physical therapy) and rehabilitation. Ischemic strokes and hemorrhagic strokes have different causes, and therefore require different treatments to maximize recovery.

A tailored physiotherapy program can help stroke patients relearn basic reflexes and muscle skills, return them to prior functioning levels, and introduce them to activities and lifestyle changes that promote healing, prevent further incidents, and enhance their overall health.

Whether you need an immediate pain relief treatment for a recurring migraine or a customized physical therapy program for a recuperating stroke patient, Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Centres (PARC) of Ontario is here to help you on your road to recovery. We provide acupuncture therapy sessions for a wide range of medical conditions, and we design patient-focused physiotherapy programs that facilitate a speedy recovery.

Call us at (905) 897-2092 for acupuncture and physiotherapy services in Ajax, Mississauga, Oshawa, Scarborough, and Whitby or book your appointment online.