Genetic testing may help in severe type of migraine

People who suffer from sporadic hemiplegic migraine (SHM) -- a rare, often severe subtype of migraine in which attacks are associated with a weakness affecting one side of the body -- may want to consider genetic testing, researchers suggest.

Their suggestion is based on a study in which they found "familial genes" for this type of migraine in people who did not have family members experiencing the problem.

Researchers noted that most people with SHM are "initially diagnosed with epilepsy, stroke or other disorders and are treated accordingly with non-effective medications that are associated with a high risk of side effects rather than with effective agents to treat migraine."

Genetic testing in people with this type of sporadic migraine may help to enable counseling and prevent unnecessary treatment with potentially harmful drugs, the researchers suggest.

For more information, visit healthcentral.com