Migraine with Aura - Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
Migraine with aura is a type of migraine preceded or accompanied by sensory disturbances such as flashes of light, blind spots, tingling, or speech changes.
Overview
About 25-30% of people who experience migraines have migraines with aura. The aura typically develops over 5-20 minutes and lasts less than 60 minutes, followed by the headache phase.
Migraine with aura is generally treated similarly to migraine without aura, but the presence of aura may affect contraceptive choices (estrogen-containing contraceptives are typically avoided) and may slightly increase stroke risk.
Symptoms of Migraine with Aura
- HeadachePrimary
A headache is pain or discomfort in the head, scalp, or neck. Most headaches are not serious and can be treated with lifestyle changes and medication.
- NauseaPrimary
Nausea is an uneasy feeling in the stomach that often comes before vomiting. It can be caused by many conditions including infections, pregnancy, motion sickness, and digestive disorders.
- Blurred VisionPrimary
Blurred vision is a loss of sharpness in eyesight, making objects appear out of focus and hazy. It can affect one or both eyes.
- Numbness and Tingling
Numbness and tingling (paresthesia) is an abnormal sensation of prickling, "pins and needles," or loss of feeling in a body part.
- Dizziness
Dizziness is a feeling of lightheadedness, unsteadiness, or a sensation that the room is spinning. It is a common symptom that can have many underlying causes.
Causes of Migraine with Aura
Cortical spreading depression (wave of electrical activity across the brain)
Same triggers as regular migraines: stress, hormonal changes, certain foods
Genetic factors (often familial)
Sleep disruption
Environmental stimuli (bright lights, strong smells)
Treatment for Migraine with Aura
Same medications as migraine without aura
Triptans (taken at onset of headache, not during aura)
Preventive medications for frequent episodes
Avoiding trigger factors
Lifestyle modifications
Biofeedback and relaxation therapy
Prevention
Same prevention strategies as regular migraine
Avoid estrogen-containing contraceptives
Regular sleep schedule
Stress management
Trigger avoidance diary
Risk Factors
Family history of migraine with aura
Female sex
Hormonal changes
Patent foramen ovale (PFO)
Same triggers as regular migraine
When to See a Doctor
See a neurologist if you experience visual disturbances or sensory changes before headaches, if aura symptoms are new or different from usual, if aura lasts longer than 60 minutes, or if you experience aura without subsequent headache.
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Which Doctor to Consult for Migraine with Aura
If you are experiencing symptoms of migraine with aura, you may want to consult a specialist in one of these areas:
Related Conditions
These conditions share similar symptoms with migraine with aura and may be relevant:
Stroke
A stroke occurs when blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted or reduced, depriving brain tissue of oxygen and nutrients. Brain cells begin to die within minutes.
Migraine
Migraine is a neurological condition that causes recurring episodes of moderate to severe headache, often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound.
Hypertension
Hypertension (high blood pressure) is a common condition where the force of blood against artery walls is consistently too high, increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other health problems.
Anemia
Anemia is a condition where the blood lacks enough healthy red blood cells or hemoglobin to carry adequate oxygen to the body's tissues, causing fatigue, weakness, and other symptoms.
Coronary Artery Disease
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common type of heart disease, caused by plaque buildup in the walls of arteries that supply blood to the heart.
Chronic Kidney Disease
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a gradual loss of kidney function over months or years, eventually requiring dialysis or transplant if it progresses to end-stage.
Medical Disclaimer
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