A migraine attack can occur with or without an aura. The aura usually becomes noticeable before the onset of the headache. Symptoms similar to those of a neurological disorder occur. Typical symptoms are, for example, visual disturbances – the field of vision is often restricted in those affected or they see flashes of light in front of their eyes. To date, there is no treatment for the aura itself. However, the actual migraine attack can often be mitigated by rapid intervention.
Cause still unclear
About 15 to 30 percent of all migraine patients suffer from migraine with aura. This means that they not only experience attack-like headaches, but may also experience other symptoms such as visual or speech disorders.
The exact causes of migraine have not yet been conclusively clarified. However, since several family members are often affected, it is assumed that genetic factors play a role. The cause of migraine with aura is also not yet known beyond doubt. What is certain is that certain areas of the brain are less well supplied with blood. However, other causes are also conceivable.
Symptoms of migraine with aura
An aura often occurs before the actual migraine attack – it is, so to speak, a harbinger of the headache attack. More rarely, the symptoms become noticeable together with the headache. Typically, the symptoms develop within five to ten minutes and subside after about an hour.
Characteristically, patients suffer from neurological disorders such as:
- Visual disturbances
- Sensory dysfunction (sensory disturbances, paralysis).
- Disturbance of balance (balance disorders)
- Disturbance of speech
Since such symptoms can also occur in the context of a stroke, they should be clarified by all means by a doctor – especially when they occur for the first time.
Visual disturbances as a typical symptom
The most common symptom of migraine with aura is more or less pronounced visual disturbances: Some sufferers see flashes of light or iridescent colors before their eyes; in others, part of the visual field fails. Some patients also complain of seeing double images. In particularly severe cases, one eye may go temporarily blind.
In general, visual disturbances are distinguished between positive and negative symptoms. While in the former, an additional stimulus appears – for example, a flickering, jagged figure – in the latter, part of the visual field fails (blind spot). Such a blind spot often does not stay in one place but moves across the visual field.
Migraine with aura: what to do?
To date, there is no scientifically based treatment for migraine aura per se. For example, neither migraine medications nor pain medications can interrupt the aura. Some studies suggest that nasal sprays containing ketamine can end the symptoms that occur. Even without treatment, however, the aura usually subsides on its own within a short time.
If typical aura symptoms occur, you can mitigate the headache attack that usually follows by responding quickly:
- Take painkillers or anti-nausea medication in time.
- Retreat to a quiet, darkened place and relax or try to sleep.
- Caution: wait until the aura has passed before taking strong medications such as triptans, however.
Against the subsequent headache help exactly the same agents as in a normal migraine also. More information on medications and tips for migraine treatment can be found here.
