Migraine Headache
Confusional Migraines
The condition should be differentiated from seizures,
sudden headache, hypertension headache and various causes of confusion,
including toxic, metabolic, mitochondrial, or infectious
encephalopathies. To know more about Confusional migraines, read Be
Careful About What You Expose Yourself To.
This type of migraine includes a confusional state that occurs in only
about 5 % of migraine patients. The confusion is tinctured with
inattention, distractibility, and difficulty with speech and motor
activities; and may last anywhere from 10 minutes to 20 hours, and
commonly ending in deep sleep. Confusional migraines may result from
head trauma, and they commonly do not return. Midrin, Imitrex, and Zomig
which cure headache have all been used to successfully halt this type of
migraine.
This is rarely seen in post-pubertal adolescents or adults.
Sometimes, a child who experiences episodes in pre-pubertal years may
also have episodes after puberty and adolescence.
Confusional
Migraines usually have a period of disorientation, sometimes associated
with agitation, headache nausea and then vomiting. Although, they may
not bring constant headache. Diagnosis can be difficult as the
confusional state following the head trauma can lead a headache
specialist into undertaking more extensive diagnosis or even hospital
admission without considering the possibility of a Confusional Migraine
attack.
This type of migraine is characterized by short-lived
episodes of amnesia (memory loss), confusion, agitation, lethargy, and
dysphasia (speech difficulties) brought about by minor head trauma. Some
children also experience recurrent episodes of temporary amnesia and
confusion.