Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), aka pseudotumor cerebri can cause headaches and trigger Migraines.

When Migraineurs have frequent Migraines, but can't identify the triggers for those Migraines, it's not unusual for their doctors to suggest a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) to rule out IIH, and this is where a problem can come in.

What's the problem? Too many doctors don't know how to rule out or diagnose IIH. Too many erroneously think that everyone with IIH has papilledema (swelling of the optic nerves), and that a dilated eye exam can rule out IIH. Or they think that a trial of a medication used to treat IIH can rule it out or confirm the diagnosis. This is also incorrect.

There is only one way to definitively rule out or diagnose IIH. To find out what that is and read about a true case of what can happen when it's not diagnosed, see Pseudotumor Cerebri: Getting the Diagnosis Right.

Live well,

Make a difference... Donate to the 36 Million Migraine Campaign!

Follow me on    or 

© Teri Robert, 2013
Last updated March 2, 2013.