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Definition of Migraine Aura

A migraine is a vascular headache. More than 28 million Americans, the majority of whom are women, suffer from migraine headaches. Migraine headaches can be debilitating and chronic. They can be bought on by a variety of triggers, including lack of sleep, bright lights or eating chocolate. Sometimes there are warning signs a migraine is about to strike.

  1. Aura

    • The definition of an aura is: a premonition. Frequently, a migraine sufferer will experience an aura before a migraine.

    The Light Aura

    • The kind of aura a migraine sufferer has is actually a the symptom of a brain malfunction. An aura may present itself as flashing or gleaming lights. A zigzagging pattern or even blind spots may occur. Vision may also become blurred.

    Ordor and Sensation

    • Sometimes the aura may manifest as an odor of some kind. The aura may present itself as a breeze, a numbness, tingling or a weakness.

    Speech

    • An aura may affect speech. A person may find it difficult to speak, to speak coherently or to speak in an audible tone.

    Balance and Nausea

    • A migraine aura may cause one to feel off balance, faint, dizzy and/or unsteady. Nausea and vomitng may occur.

    Pain

    • Pain, not just in the head, may preclude a migraine. The pain may be felt on the skin, from wearing contact lenses, or simply from clothes or shoes that are tight.

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