Individual's who have Migraines with an Aura (also referred to as a Classic Migraine) will have many or all of the symptoms of a migraine but will also have additional neurological symptoms.
What Does "Aura" Mean?
The term 'aura' describes any type of neurological disturbance that occurs shortly before or during the development of a migraine. Though for some people including myself the aura can last during and after the migraine.What is an aura and common symptoms?
An aura is the term given to describe a neurological symptom of a migraine. An aura is most often a visual disturbance.These visual disturbances may include:
- Blind spots in the visual field
- Coloured spots
- Seeing stars or sparkles
- Flashing lights before the eyes
- Experiencing tunnel vision
- Seeing zig-zag lines
- Temporary blindness
- Numbness or tingling
- Pin and needles in the arms and legs
- Weakness down one side of the body
- Dizziness or vertigo (a feeling of spinning)
The neurological symptoms usually occur before the headache which may only be mild, or sometimes no headache will follow.
Causes and Triggers
The causes of Migraines with an Aura isn't fully understood. Current understanding is that it is like and an electrical or chemical wave that moves are the visual cortex part of the brain resulting in the visual hallucinations.The triggers are more-or-less the same ones that trigger other types of migraines. These things can include stress, bright lights, certain foods and medications, too much/little sleep and menstruation.
