Even those who are familiar with migraine symptoms would find it difficult to recall the basal symptoms. Part of the reason for this confusion is the name itself. The original name of the condition was Basilar Artery Migraine (BAM). However, it was renamed to a Basilar-Type Migraine (BTM). There is still some confusion about the exact name. The headache is sometimes called a basal migraine or a basal-artery migraine. It is rare and very severe, regardless of the name.

Basal Migraine

It is a rare condition. Researchers are still trying to understand the condition, but have limited funding. It is also unlikely that most medical professionals have ever experienced basal migraine symptoms, which increases the chance of misdiagnosis. Basilar artery migraine was initially thought to be more common in young women than in other demographics. However, subsequent research has shown that it can affect all ages and both men as well as women.

Basal migraines are three times more common in women than in men. This is similar to the statistics for migraine headaches. As with migraines, some have suggested that basilar migraines in women could be due to hormonal changes. Basal migraine symptoms are characterized by an aura that originates from the brainstem. They usually last less than 60 seconds.

Aura

The aura can cause temporary blindness, which can be very scary. Basal migraine is considered a “regular migraine with aura”, but the brainstem localization requires a different treatment and a different set of drugs. As with any medical condition, it is important to gather as much information as possible about your condition and take part in the diagnosis and treatment. If you have any of these symptoms, consult your doctor and provide this information for further analysis.