Why aura before migraine

Overview Migraine with aura also called classic migraine is a recurring headache that strikes after or at the same time as sensory disturbances called aura. More Information Migraine aura. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Simon RP, et al. In: Clinical Neurology. McGraw Hill; Accessed Feb. Coppola G, et al. Clinical neurophysiology of migraine with aura. The Journal of Headache and Pain. Headache: Hope through research. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

Although they sometimes have an aura without the headache, at other times they may get a headache after an aura. Without treatment, migraines can last from 4 hours to a few days. Medicines can help prevent migraines or stop them once they have started.

Your doctor can help you find which ones work best for you. Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse call line if you are having problems.

It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take. Call anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:. Call your doctor or nurse call line now or seek immediate medical care if:. Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor or nurse call line if:. Author: Healthwise Staff. Care instructions adapted under license by your healthcare professional.

If you have questions about a medical condition or this instruction, always ask your healthcare professional. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. It looks like your browser does not have JavaScript enabled. Please turn on JavaScript and try again. Important Phone Numbers. Topic Contents Overview How can you care for yourself at home?

When should you call for help? Where can you learn more? The common symptoms related to your sight include: blind spots seeing coloured spots or lines seeing flashing or flickering lights seeing zig zag patterns temporary blindness Other aura symptoms can include: numbness or tingling sensation like pins and needles in parts of your body muscle weakness feeling dizzy or off balance Subtypes of migraine with aura Subtypes of migraine with aura include migraine with brainstem aura , hemiplegic migraine and retinal migraine.

It is not known exactly what causes auras. Treatment options for migraine with aura Your treatment options depend on how often you have attacks and how severe they are. Generally, treatment for migraine includes: Acute treatment such as over the counter painkillers, migraine specific treatments triptans and anti-sickness medication.

These treatments aim to help manage the symptoms when an attack comes on. You do need to be careful not to take certain acute treatments too many days a month as this can cause medication overuse headache.

Medication overuse can cause daily headaches with migraine symptoms. Preventive treatment such as beta-blockers, tricyclic antidepressants or anti-epilepsy drugs. These treatments aim to reduce how often you have migraine attacks and how bad they are. You take them every day and build them up to an effective dose.

Understanding Migraine with Aura. What to Know About Migraine With Aura Doctors and patients alike have been fascinated and puzzled by how migraine and aura go hand in hand. What is Aura? Migraine Types with Aura Because of the varying levels of sensory changes, aura can be alarming to experience, which is why being able to determine what type of headache you have can help to understand your symptoms and the progression of an attack.

The types of migraine known to have an aura stage are: Migraine with aura—with a headache or without a headache Migraine with brainstem aura Hemiplegic migraine Retinal migraine Different types of Aura and Symptoms Those who have migraine aura may have a range of symptoms, including: Vision Disturbances: Seeing spots, flashes, zig zags, stars, or even losing sight for short periods of time.

Sensory Changes: Feeling tingling or numbness in the face, body, hands, and fingers. Speech or Language Problems: Unable to produce the right words, slurring or mumbling words.