Partial Loss of Vision + Headache

[Sabar]

Hi,

24 yr. old male.  For the past six months or so I've had maybe a total of 6 or 7 incidents where I lose part of my vision in my left eye and afterwards I get a bad headache located like right behind my forehead.  The vision loss isn't like a black space but like blurry or a big white spot.  The vision I lose is usually in the peripheral/outside upper/left side of my left eye. I can still see out of it and my balance and ability to do simple things isn't inhibited... The vision loss usually lasts for between 5-30 min.  The first couple times I attributed it to graduating university and the stresses and stuff that go along with it giving me a headache.  I'm not on any medication or anything and I'm fairly healthy, not like a triathalon runner or anything but I play sports like 4-5 times a week and do weights, etc.  I currently take multivitamins, flax seed and omega 3/6 pills but I had this happen a couple times to me before I took any of them.  Lately it's been happening more often to me.  It was happening like maybe 1 time a month or something but lately it's happened 2 times in June and twice so far in July, back to back days actually.  I've been to the optometrist on an unrelated matter (before it started happening more closely together so I didn't mention it, stupid I know) and now it's hard to schedule getting an appointment with work being really busy etc.  I'm assuming that if something serious like my retina was detaching or something she would have been able to tell then.  Hoping that someone here can let me know something about what's going on and what I should do.  Also, generally afterwards I feel nausea/hungry if that makes any sense...

Thanks in advance.

[DrNoopurMD]

Hi,

Yes skipping meals, fasting which cause low blood sugar can trigger migraine. Another trigger is dehydration, irregular sleeping habits and change in air pressure.

http://www.medhelp.org/medical-information/show_section/14048

Migraines can therefore be controlled to quite an extent by eating regularly, maintaining hydration and sleeping at about the same time every day. Meditation and breathing exercises are also helpful.
Let me know if you need more information.

[Sabar]

Thanks for the quick reply,

That's what I thought as well (or was hoping for anyways).  The only problem is I'm not sure what that trigger could be.  It's happened when I'm reading a book, sitting at the computer, walking etc... Could it be a lack of sugar or something?  I don't eat much of it and I don't think I have diabetes or anything weird like that but I was reading on the net and I'm looking for pretty much anything at this point... Thanks again.

[DrNoopurMD]

Hi,

Your symptoms are quite suggestive of migraine. Migraine is one sided throbbing headache which is preceded by aura. One of the symptoms of aura is tunnel vision which is what you have experienced.
Migraine is triggered by many factors like food products mainly caffeine, sodium monoglutamate, processed meats, chocolates or even a change in weather.
The best and the most effective treatment for migraine is identifying and avoiding the trigger. Also lying in a dark quiet room, cold compresses and OTC pain killers help.
I would suggest you schedule an appointment with a physician and undergo a complete clinical evaluation.