Migraine headaches with an aura are actually much less common than those without. Only about 20 to 30 percent of migraine headache sufferers experience auras. Those who do suffer from migraine headaches with an aura may not experience an aura with every migraine headache. A migraine headache with an aura is referred to as a classic migraine.
What is an aura?
An aura typically occurs about 30 minutes prior to the start of a migraine headache. An aura is typically visual, but can affect all senses. Examples of an aura include blind spots, seeing flashing lights, seeing hallucinations, seeing zig zag patterns, and blindness in half of the visual field in one or both eyes. Typically these types of visual disturbances begin in the center of the visual field and then progress outward. Other sensory disturbances include feelings of numbness, difficulty with speech or language and muscle weakness.
While the cause of an aura isn’t understood or known, it’s believed that the visual aura is like an electrical or chemical wave that moves across the part of the brain that processes visual signals. They believe that as the wave spreads it can cause the visual changes or hallucinations.
Migraine headaches with an aura have similar pain symptoms to other migraine headaches. This includes the moderate to severe head throbbing, sensitivity to light and sound, and nausea or vomiting. Migraine headaches are a serious condition and should be treated as such.
Increased stroke risk
Recent research has stated that migraine sufferers are more likely to suffer from strokes if they experience an aura with their migraine headaches. Typically this risk goes up with women and then even higher when women also take birth control or smoke. While this risk is not high, it is significantly higher than a healthy person or a person who has migraines without an aura.
While every person experiences migraine headaches differently, it is important to remember to seek medical advice. Only a healthcare professional can properly treat and diagnose migraine headaches. Migraine headaches can make a person’s life feel like it’s gone upside down, but learning exactly what is happening inside their body. Asking a lot of questions to a doctor or other healthcare professional can help.
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