Migraine headaches are often associated with intense pain, but many people also experience neurological symptoms known as auras. These auras can be visual, sensory, or motor disturbances that precede or accompany the headache. Understanding what a migraine aura is, its different types, and what causes it can help individuals better manage their migraine experiences.
Types of Migraine Auras
About 20% of people who experience migraines have auras. These auras typically last between 10 and 30 minutes. There are several types of migraine auras, each affecting different areas of the nervous system.
Visual Aura
Visual auras are the most common type, affecting the visual cortex of the brain.
What it is: This type of aura involves disturbances in vision, such as seeing shapes, bright spots, or flashes of light.
Symptoms:
- Fortification spectra: Often described as resembling the walls of a medieval fort, starting as a small hole of light with geometrical lines and shapes.
- Flashing lights (scintillations): Seeing bright spots or streaks of light.
- Scotoma: Partial loss of vision or blind spots.
Sensory Aura
Sensory auras involve changes in sensation, often occurring alongside visual auras or independently.
What it is: Sensory auras affect the sense of touch and can cause tingling or numbness.
Symptoms:
- Tingling: Starting in one limb and traveling up the arm, often spreading to one side of the face and tongue.
- Numbness: A feeling of loss of sensation in the affected areas.
Dysphasic Aura
Dysphasic auras affect speech and language abilities.
What it is: This type of aura results in transient speech or language problems.
Symptoms:
- Difficulty speaking: Struggling to find the right words or forming coherent sentences.
- Language comprehension issues: Trouble understanding spoken or written language.
Hemiplegic Migraine Aura
Hemiplegic migraine is a rare type of migraine aura that causes weakness on one side of the body.
What it is: Hemiplegic migraine auras involve motor weakness affecting the limbs and sometimes the face.
Symptoms:
- Weakness: Muscle weakness on one side of the body, which can affect the face, arm, or leg.
The Migraine Aura Experience
The experience of a migraine aura varies from person to person. Auras can occur before, during, or even without a headache.
Timing:
- Before headache: Auras often precede the migraine headache, acting as a warning sign.
- During headache: Some people experience auras concurrently with the headache.
- Without headache (silent migraine): An aura can occur without any accompanying head pain.
Progression:
- Auras typically develop gradually, with symptoms evolving over several minutes.
- Symptoms usually resolve within an hour.
What Causes a Migraine Aura?
Migraine auras are thought to be caused by an electrical or chemical wave that spreads across the cortex of the brain, specifically the visual cortex in the case of visual auras.
Cortical Spreading Depression (CSD): This wave of neuronal excitation followed by depression is believed to underlie the symptoms of auras. The wave affects the activity of brain cells, leading to temporary neurological deficits.
Managing Migraine Auras
While there is no specific treatment for migraine auras, managing overall migraine triggers and symptoms can help reduce their frequency and severity.
- Lifestyle adjustments: Identifying and avoiding triggers such as stress, certain foods, and lack of sleep.
- Medications: Using migraine-specific medications as prescribed by a healthcare professional.
- Relaxation techniques: Practicing relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, and yoga.
Conclusion
Understanding what a migraine aura is, its different types, and potential causes can empower individuals to better manage their migraine condition. Recognizing the warning signs of an aura allows for timely intervention and potentially reducing the impact of the subsequent headache. Consulting with a healthcare provider is essential for accurate diagnosis and the development of an effective management plan.
