MIGRAINE

Migraine is a common disorder, affecting about 12% of adult populations in Western countries.
There are two subcategories of migraine headaches:

Migraine with aura (MA+) is characterized by a neurological phenomenon (aura) that is experienced 10 to 30 minutes before the headache. Most auras are visual and are described as bright shimmering lights around objects or at the edges of the field of vision or zigzag lines, wavy images, or hallucinations. Others experience temporary vision loss or other focal neurologic deficits. These are typically the most severe attacks.

Migraine without aura (MA-) is the most prevalent type of migraine and may occur on one or both sides of the head. Tiredness or mood changes may be experienced the day before the headache. Nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light (photophobia) often accompany migraine without aura.

While the mechanism linking PFO with migraine headaches is not well-understood, researchers believe that the blood passing through a PFO may carry microemboli or vasoactive substances such as serotonin to the brain which would normally be filtered out or metabolized during their passage through the lungs.

What is a PFO?

Cryptogenic Stroke

Migraine

Other Diseases Linked to PFO