The University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine reported that middle-aged women who suffered migraines accompanied by either visual or speaking difficulties, known as aura, had higher risk of brain lesions in later life.
This study seems to indicate that migraines are NOT benign and could be a progressive, brain damaging condition.
In another study, Dutch researchers found that patients who had migraines accompanied by aura were at 13X the risk for having a cerebral blood clot (infarction) resulting in brain cell death, compared with non-migraineurs.
The risk for cerebral infarction was 7X higher for migraineurs without aura versus non-migraineurs.
Both studies indicated the risk of damage increased with the number of migraines experienced.
Previously published data demonstrated that repetitive migraines increased the risk of stroke and coronary artery disease.
Avoiding migraines from the start rather than trying to treat the pain after the migraine has occurred, is clearly the preferred choice.
