Migraine With Aura

Migraine with aura, sometimes called classic migraine, is a headache that comes back regularly. It's often accompanied by unusual sensations called "aura." These sensations might be things like seeing flashing lights, having blurry vision or blind spots, or feeling tingling in your hand or face. These sensory changes are a warning sign that a migraine is coming.

The good news is, the treatments for migraine with aura are usually the same as for migraines without aura, which are sometimes called common migraines. This means you can use the same types of medications and self-care strategies to try and prevent both kinds of migraines. For example, if you're prone to migraines, you might consider lifestyle changes like getting enough sleep, managing stress, and eating regular meals to help reduce your chances of a migraine attack. Medications, including over-the-counter pain relievers and prescription drugs, can also be used to prevent migraines and to treat them when they occur.

Migraines sometimes come with warning signs called auras. These auras are temporary problems with vision or other senses. They happen before the main migraine symptoms, like a throbbing headache, feeling sick to your stomach, and being bothered by bright lights or loud noises.

The aura usually starts within an hour of the headache and typically lasts less than an hour. Importantly, auras can sometimes happen without a headache, especially in people who are 50 or older. This is a key difference to understand.

If you're experiencing new migraine symptoms, like temporary vision problems, trouble speaking, or weakness on one side of your body, see your doctor right away. These are signs of a migraine with aura. It's important to get checked out quickly because similar symptoms can also signal a more serious condition, like a stroke. Your doctor will need to do some tests to make sure it's not something more serious.

Migraine auras are believed to be caused by a wave of electrical or chemical activity traveling through the brain. This wave's path through the brain determines the specific symptoms you feel. Think of it like a ripple spreading across a pond; the ripple's impact depends on where it hits the water.

If the wave travels through areas of the brain that process information from your senses (like sight, sound, or touch), you might see visual disturbances, hear unusual noises, or feel tingling sensations. If the wave moves through areas controlling speech or movement, you might experience problems with speech or feel weakness in a part of your body. A very common migraine aura is a visual aura, which happens when this activity affects the part of the brain responsible for sight.

Crucially, these electrical or chemical waves are a normal brain function. They don't damage the brain. It's like a temporary surge in activity in a specific part of your brain, rather than an injury or disease.

Many of the same things that can trigger a regular migraine can also trigger a migraine with aura. These include stress, exposure to bright lights, certain foods and drinks, medications, getting too little or too much sleep, and changes in your menstrual cycle. These factors can sometimes set off this wave of activity in the brain, leading to the aura symptoms.

Migraines, including those with aura, don't seem to be caused by any specific, single thing. However, if someone has a family history of migraines, they are more likely to get them. Also, women are more prone to migraines than men.

People who experience migraines with aura have a slightly higher chance of having a stroke than people who don't.

Your doctor can diagnose a migraine with aura based on what you tell them, your family medical history, and a physical check-up. They'll look for the signs and symptoms of a migraine with aura.

If your aura doesn't cause a headache, your doctor might suggest some tests to make sure it's not something more serious, like a mini-stroke (transient ischemic attack, or TIA).

To rule out a more serious problem, your doctor might do these checks:

• They might send you to a neurologist: A neurologist is a doctor who specializes in the nervous system. They can help figure out if a brain problem is causing your symptoms.

• Eye exam: A thorough eye exam by an eye doctor (ophthalmologist) can help determine if an eye issue is causing your visual problems.

• CT scan: A CT scan uses X-rays to create detailed pictures of your brain. This helps your doctor look for any abnormalities.

• MRI: An MRI uses strong magnets and radio waves to create detailed pictures of your body, including your brain. This is a good way to look for problems inside your head.

These tests help your doctor rule out other possible causes for your symptoms and determine if you truly have a migraine with aura.