A migraine with aura is sometimes also called a classic migraine. This is a recurring headache that can strike with a sensory disturbance called an aura. The sensory disturbances that are experienced with this kind of headache can vary and might show up as flashes of light, blind spots, or other vision changes. These changes might also be accompanied by tingling in the hands or the face.
Migraines with aura can be debilitating to some patients, while in others, the headache might be managed fairly readily with Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) and rest. Prevention of migraine with aura is often key since migraines can last for days at a time without relief.
Migraine with aura symptoms can vary from person to person. The nature of the visual disturbances might vary from headache to headache as well. Usually, the aura symptoms appear first, followed by the headache. The headache might also cause generalized head pain, eye pain, nausea, and sensitivity to light and sound. In severe cases, the ability to speak or move might be impacted as well.
The visual disturbances of a migraine often show up around an hour before the migraine itself. The headache will last much longer than an hour in most cases. Migraine auras can also take place without a secondary headache in some patients. The most common symptoms of migraine with aura are:
Some people also experience:
Migraine with aura is thought to be caused by a chemical or electrical wave that moves across the brain. The part of the brain that is impacted by this electrical or chemical wave pattern can vary from migraine to migraine. The most commonly impacted parts of the brain are the parts that process sensory signals, speech centers, and centers that are responsible for movement. A migraine with aura does not cause brain damage, but it can impact the ability to undertake normal tasks for hours or even days.
Risk factors are not well understood, and many migraine sufferers are required to keep a journal of their activities and diet to try and locate triggers for their headaches. Foods that are high in sodium, red wine, certain cheeses, and sugar are common triggers for migraine. Medications can also be responsible for this condition, as can too much or too little sleep and hormone imbalances. Some women also experience migraines with aura during menstruation.
Migraine with aura is usually diagnosed by a doctor based on a description of the symptoms and a physical exam. If the visual auras that you have been experiencing are not accompanied by a headache, then your doctor might want to do additional tests for more serious conditions like brain tumors or conditions like transient ischemic attack (TIA).
The diagnosis process can also include an eye examination by an ophthalmologist to rule out visual problems that are leading to your headaches, CT scan to look at the brain, and an MRI to take images of the brain and other internal organs. You might also be sent to a neurologist to rule out other conditions that could be causing your migraines.
Treatment of migraine involves the following:
Prevention of migraines can be hard, but if you are able to figure out triggers for your headaches, you can avoid the foods or medications that seem to cause them. For some people, migraine with aura is not a common occurrence, which makes it much harder to prevent these kinds of headaches from taking place.