Headaches are common, and migraines can be intense. But sometimes, what feels like a migraine could be something far more dangerous. In fact, Hersh Kirtman has seen how easily stroke symptoms can be mistaken for less serious conditions.
Understanding The Difference
Migraines and strokes can both cause severe headaches and neurological changes. That’s why it’s easy to confuse the two. But the consequences of missing a stroke diagnosis can be devastating.
A migraine can cause changes in vision, nausea, or even numbness. Strokes can have the same effect, but they involve a sudden interruption of blood flow to the brain. This means time is critical when symptoms appear.
If you’re unsure whether it’s a migraine or something more, err on the side of caution. It’s always better to be checked out quickly.
Sudden Onset Of Symptoms
Migraine symptoms often build gradually. A person may feel an aura, followed by a slowly intensifying headache. But stroke symptoms usually strike without warning.
A sudden loss of coordination, trouble speaking, or weakness on one side of the body is a significant warning sign. If these signs appear out of nowhere, it’s not a typical migraine pattern. This kind of sudden onset demands immediate medical attention.
Never wait to see if it passes. Time lost is brain lost.
Trouble Speaking Or Understanding
Speech changes are common in strokes. A person might slur their words, use the wrong ones, or be unable to speak at all. They may also struggle to understand what others are saying.
Migraines can sometimes affect speech, but not in the same abrupt and confusing way. With a stroke, communication problems tend to come on suddenly and without warning. If someone suddenly can’t form a sentence or respond appropriately, call emergency services right away.
Vision Problems On One Side
Both migraines and strokes can cause vision issues, but the type of impairment often differs. Migraines may cause flashing lights, blurry vision, or temporary blind spots. These usually affect both eyes equally.
In contrast, strokes often cause vision loss on one side of the visual field. This may go unnoticed at first because it doesn’t cause complete blindness. However, if someone is bumping into things or not noticing objects on one side, it could be a sign of a stroke. Vision loss that affects only one side or occurs with other symptoms is an emergency.
Sudden Weakness Or Numbness
One-sided numbness or weakness is one of the most common and dangerous stroke symptoms. If an arm, leg, or face suddenly becomes weak or numb, it’s a major warning sign. Migraines can also cause numbness, although it typically occurs more gradually.
The key difference is timing and location. Stroke symptoms tend to strike quickly and intensely, often affecting only one side of the body. In contrast, migraine-related numbness is usually milder and more spread out.
Act quickly if weakness appears suddenly. Even if it improves after a few minutes, it could be a transient ischemic attack (TIA), or “mini-stroke.”
Difficulty Walking Or Staying Balanced
Balance problems can sometimes accompany migraines, especially those with an aura. But strokes can cause serious coordination issues, dizziness, or trouble walking. These symptoms often appear alongside others, such as slurred speech or weakness on one side of the body.
If someone stumbles, leans to one side, or seems off balance for no apparent reason, a stroke may be the cause. These signs shouldn’t be dismissed as tiredness or low blood sugar. Loss of balance combined with other warning signs is a medical emergency.
Severe, Sudden Headache
A sudden, severe headache marks some strokes, often described as the “worst headache of my life.” This type of headache usually signals a hemorrhagic stroke, where bleeding occurs in the brain.
Migraine sufferers may think it’s just another bad headache. But if the pain feels different, more intense, or comes on abruptly, don’t ignore it. A sudden thunderclap headache should always be treated as an emergency.
When In Doubt, Remember FAST
A straightforward way to identify stroke symptoms is the FAST acronym:
- Face drooping
- Arm weakness
- Speech difficulty
- Time to call emergency services
This tool can help people act quickly when every minute counts. It’s also useful for bystanders who may not recognize the seriousness of a loved one’s symptoms. Don’t second-guess yourself when a stroke is suspected; call for help.
Conclusion
Strokes don’t always look dramatic, and they can easily be confused with migraines. But understanding the key differences could save a life. If a grave medical mistake occurred, Hersh Kirtman may be able to help you explore your legal options.