| The television series, House is widely enjoyed by | | | | environmental, chemical, hormonal or behavioral. |
| millions of viewers all over the world. The concept of | | | | On the other hand, seizures are caused by abnormal |
| the show revolves around a brilliant diagnostician and | | | | electric activity in a group of brain cells. Causes of |
| his team of doctors who try to determine the illness | | | | brain tumors are still undetermined. However, some |
| of their patients to be able to provide the | | | | studies show that a higher predominance of this |
| appropriate treatment. The method they utilize to | | | | condition is observed among those whose work |
| uncover the mysteries of the patient's condition is | | | | include making contact with or exposure to |
| called differential diagnosis. In the field of medicine | | | | high-chemical content substances. Just by |
| and health, conducting a differential diagnosis is very | | | | observation, the differences among the three |
| necessary since several illnesses may display similar | | | | conditions cannot be easily determined. This is the |
| symptoms. A differential diagnosis is therefore done | | | | reason why medical tests or evaluations are needed |
| by observing the various symptoms manifested by a | | | | to be further done in the hope of acquiring more |
| patient; doing different types of medical | | | | evidences that would lead or point to a certain |
| examinations; and by interviewing the patient or his | | | | condition. Among the tests that can be done are |
| family regarding personal, medical and social histories. | | | | magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), CT scan and |
| The main goal, therefore, of having a differential | | | | electroencephalography (EEG). Conducting MRI and |
| diagnosis is to avoid medical malpractice and to | | | | CT scan will show any abnormal cell growth within |
| provide quality treatments for patients. | | | | the brain while EEG recordings will determine unusual |
| As mentioned earlier, several medical problems or | | | | electrical activity in the brain. Any anomalies observed |
| illnesses may show similar symptoms or | | | | among the tests mentioned can rule out that the |
| manifestations. This makes it more difficult for people | | | | headaches due to migraine alone. However, when |
| and even physicians to identify treatment that should | | | | results of those tests indicate normal activity or |
| be provided. Such can be the case in conditions such | | | | conditions, conclusions still cannot be made. Further |
| as migraines, brain tumors, and seizure disorders. | | | | observation of the symptoms manifested needs to |
| Among persons who suffer from migraine, it is of | | | | be done. |
| great importance to be knowledgeable of the causes | | | | Though a lot of symptoms among migraines, brain |
| and symptoms of this particular condition in relation | | | | tumors and seizures are similar, there are also certain |
| to other illnesses such as brain tumors and seizure | | | | differences which can be a main lead during |
| disorders that exhibit similar symptoms. Knowing the | | | | differential diagnosis. Experiences of seeing auras |
| differences among the said medical conditions will help | | | | usually occur only among those who have migraines |
| people to better understand and appreciate migraine | | | | and seizures. People with brain tumors do not usually |
| remedies. | | | | have this. Existence of aura, therefore, can possibly |
| The main similarity between migraines, brain tumors | | | | rule out having brain tumors. Also, unlike symptoms |
| and seizures is that all of these conditions affect the | | | | of migraines and seizures which are episodic, |
| neurological system. These conditions should be given | | | | symptoms of brain tumors happen more consistently. |
| proper attention since these ailments affect the brain. | | | | Symptoms of migraine such as headaches or feeling |
| Common manifestations or symptoms of migraines, | | | | of nausea usually last from three hours to several |
| brain tumors and seizures include: headache, aura, | | | | days while those of seizures are usually of shorter |
| nausea, vomiting, problems with vision, weakness, | | | | duration only. Thus, suspicion of possible migraine |
| changes in mood or behavior and negative reactions | | | | condition can be more strongly supported when the |
| towards certain sensations (sight, hearing, smell, | | | | symptoms remain for a long time. |
| movement). Migraine headaches may, therefore, also | | | | Differential diagnosis, however, though recommended |
| be a result of abnormal electro-physiologic | | | | to be understood and applied by common people, are |
| synchronization which occurs in seizures or maybe | | | | more valid when done by certain professionals such |
| because of a damage in a particular tissue in the brain | | | | as doctors. Upon arriving to a certain conclusion, they |
| due to tumors. To identify the root of the problem is | | | | are also the ones who can effectively prescribe the |
| to determine the possible causes. | | | | appropriate medication, remedy or management for |
| A situation similar to this is when a child manifests a | | | | the condition. In some instances, there is an overlap |
| difficulty in repeating words which can be a result of | | | | between the medications of seizures and migraine |
| either difficulty in hearing, difficulty in moving the | | | | remedies. Among these are depakene, depakote |
| parts involved in talking or difficulty in understanding | | | | topiramate and topamax. However, certain treatment |
| or processing the instruction which is to repeat the | | | | only react effectively to the corresponding illness |
| words. | | | | that they are made for. Also, aside from having no |
| Migraine is said to be caused by a possible disorder in | | | | curative effects at all on the condition, taking the |
| the serotonergic control system. Serotonin is a | | | | wrong medication could even worsen the problem. |
| neurotransmitter in the brain which regulates | | | | Thus, a thorough investigation of the situation should |
| emotions such as anger and aggression, mood, | | | | really be done to conduct a highly |
| appetite, sexuality and vomiting. Another cause of | | | | evidence-supported differential diagnosis and, as a |
| migraines can be attributed to the exposure to or | | | | result, allow doctors to identify the appropriate |
| withdrawal of certain “triggers” which can be | | | | treatment. |