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Introduction to Migraine Headache
Aura in Migraine Headache
An aura is a visual disturbance that is experienced by approximately 20% of migraineurs. It appears between 15 minutes and several hours before an attack and may continue into the early period of the headache. An aura may not necessarily occur before every migraine in an individual who experiences them. It is believed that the aura is caused by changes in the activity of specific nerve cells in the brain that are also related to other physiological changes that occur during the migraine headache. Images in an aura may include:
- Sparkling flashes
- Zigzag lines
- Slowly spreading blind spot
- Wavy lines
Some people experience a tingling in their arms or legs or difficulty speaking, though this is not very common.
