Living with Sporadic hemiplegic migraine
A rare type of migraine with aura that includes temporary weakness or numbness, often on one side of the body.
Understanding Sporadic hemiplegic migraine
Migraines cause intense, throbbing pain, and some people have nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. Headaches typically begin in childhood or adolescence and can last hours to days. Before the headache, an aura brings visual changes and temporary numbness or weakness, often on one side. Some people have severe episodes, and a few develop lasting coordination problems or learning difficulty.
Signs & symptoms
GARD doesn't list a separate symptom list. The summary describes:
- Intense, throbbing headache
- Nausea, vomiting, and light and sound sensitivity
- Visual changes such as flashing lights
- Temporary weakness or numbness on one side
- Trouble speaking or confusion
- Memory or attention problems that can last
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Your doctor may refer you to a specialist who knows rare conditions.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- A doctor familiar with rare conditions, plus specialists as needed
- Expert care
- Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with rare disease patient organizations for support
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
GARD doesn't describe a cause for this condition yet. Migraines can be triggered by certain foods, emotional stress, and minor head injury.
Also known as: non-familial hemiplegic migraine
Patient organizations
Rare-disease groups that can help
- Global GenesRare Diseases · United States
- National Organization for Rare DisordersRare Diseases · United States
- Genetic AllianceRare Diseases · United States
- RARE FoundationRare Diseases · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Sporadic hemiplegic migraine.
Explore research for Sporadic hemiplegic migraine
Explore actively recruiting Sporadic hemiplegic migraine studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Sporadic hemiplegic migraine with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
- Share your city to look for research near you
- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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