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Can You Have Confusion at the Onset of a Migraine?

Some migraines are often preceded by what is called an aura, a visual disturbance about an hour before the onset of the headache. An aura not only causes strange visual occurrences, but also can cause confusion.

  1. Aura

    • According to the Mayo Clinic, most people who suffer a migraine aura have symptoms such as shimmering spots or stars, floating zigzag lines across vision, loss of vision, blind spots and flashes of light. However, some people also experience sensory auras such as numbness, tingling, difficulty with speech or language, and confusion.

    Cause

    • The exact causes of migraines, including those with aura, are still being researched. However, the Mayo Clinic states that it is believed auras are caused by electrical or chemical waves crossing the part of your brain that controls your vision.

    Duration

    • An aura with its accompanying symptoms, such as confusion, usually lasts between 10 and 30 minutes.

    Doctor

    • The first time you experience any of the signs of an aura, such as confusion, seek medical attention to rule out more serious conditions, such as stroke.

    Trivia

    • An aura actually can occur without a headache following it.

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