Migraine with aura (also called classic migraine) is repeated episodes of headache that occur during or after sensory disturbances (aura or migraine aura). These disturbances may include symptoms such as flashes of light, blind spots, and other vision changes or tingling over the hand or face. Migraine aura is not in itself dangerous; however, the symptoms of migraine aura can sometimes look and feel like other serious conditions such as a stroke. It is advisable to consult a doctor to rule out anything serious. Triggers and treatment of migraine with aura and migraine without aura are usually the same.
Migraine is a type of headache characterized by intense throbbing pain in the head or behind the eyes. Throbbing pain or pulsing sensation usually begins on one side of the head, in the forehead, or around the eyes. Headache is aggravated by sudden movement, physical activity, loud noise, or bright light. Migraine may occur once or twice a month or every day (chronic) and is accompanied by symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, giddiness, or sensitivity to light and sound. Migraine pain normally lasts from 4 hours to 3 days and could be so severe that it may interfere with routine activities. The triggers, site of headache, severity, associated symptoms duration, and frequency of migraine episodes can vary from person to person. The symptoms of migraine aura also can vary from person to person. Migraines have a strong genetic predisposition and are usually more common in women than in men.
What is migraine aura?
Migraine aura is a series of sensory disturbances that often occur shortly before a migraine attack or may sometimes occur during or after the migraine attack.
Migraine auras are reversible symptoms of the nervous system. They occur in the form of visual and physical disturbances or sensations. These disturbances range from seeing bright dots, sparks, and patterns to muscle weakness, tingling on one side of the body, or inability to speak clearly and usually lasts for about 20-60 minutes.
Migraine aura does not occur with every migraine attack, and it may not affect every person. Sometimes, aura may occur without a headache. Although migraine pain does not occur, the aura symptoms can still be disruptive to daily activities.
They may be a result of certain chemical imbalances in the brain that occur during a migraine attack.
What are the signs and symptoms of migraine aura?
Those who have migraine aura may experience a range of symptoms including:
- Visual disturbances such as seeing flashes of light, bright spots, sparkles, or stars
- Temporary vision loss or changes in vision
- Blind spots in the field of eyesight
- Tunnel vision
- Zigzag lines in vision
- Dizziness
- Vertigo (a feeling of spinning)
- Weakness or numbness in the face
- Muscle weakness or tingling on one side of the body
- Prickly or burning sensations in an arm or leg
- Uncontrollable jerking or other movements
- Difficulty in speaking
- Slurred speech
- Unable to form right words
- Confusion and difficulty in understanding
- Depressed, irritable, and restless
- Ringing in the ears, hearing noises, or music
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Several brain chemicals play a role in causing migraines. A migraine with aura can be triggered by the same things that can trigger migraine attacks without aura. These include:
- Stress or anxiety
- Insufficient sleep
- Irregular meals
- Red wine or alcohol
- Caffeine
- Certain foods such as cheese, chocolate, or cured meats
- Ice-cream or cold foods
- Artificial sweeteners
- Food additives or preservatives such as nitrates, nitrites, and monosodium glutamate (MSG)
- Hormonal changes
- Menstruation
- Certain medications
- Birth control pills and hormone therapy
- Bright lights, strong smell, or loud noises
- Vigorous exercise
- Changes in the weather
- Altitude or air pressure changes
What is the treatment of a migraine and migraine aura?
Treatments for a migraine with aura and migraine without aura usually involve the same medications and self-care measures. They include:
- Placing a cold compression on the forehead or the back of the neck
- Moving into a dark quiet room and resting
- Reducing emotional triggers such as stress, anxiety, and depression
- Reducing physical triggers such as fatigue
- Medications for both prevention and relief of symptoms
Medications for relieving symptoms that reduce the severity of a migraine attack include:
- Pain killers including acetaminophen
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen
- Triptans reverses chemical changes in the brain that cause migraines
- Anti-emetics that relieve nausea and vomiting
- Devices that assist transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and vagus nerve stimulation helps relieve pain
- Preventive medications that stop migraine attacks from occurring include anti-seizure drugs such as Topomax (topiramate), antidepressants (SSRIs), blood pressure medications (beta-blockers), and devices that stimulate the transcutaneous supraorbital nerve.
- Alternative methods of treating migraine include acupuncture, relaxation techniques, and avoiding common triggers.
Lifestyle modifications:
- Identifying and avoiding triggers
- Avoiding skipping meals
- Eating meals at regular intervals
- Healthy and nutritious diet
- Adequate rest
- Sleeping and waking up around the same time every day and getting at least 6 hours of sleep a day
- Regular exercise
- Stress management
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Fiorinal with Codeine (butalbital, aspirin, caffeine, and codeine phosphate) is a prescription medicine used to treat the symptoms of Tension Headache. Fiorinal with Codeine may be used alone or with other medications. Serious side effects of Fiorinal with Codeine include risk of addiction, abuse, and misuse; life-threatening, or fatal respiratory depression; and fatal overdose in children caused by accidental ingestion.
Migraine Headache
Migraine headache is a type of headache associated with a sensitivity to light, smells, or sounds, eye pain, severe pounding on one side of the head, and sometimes nausea and vomiting. The exact cause of migraine headaches is not known. Triggers for migraine headaches include certain foods, stress, hormonal changes, strong stimuli (loud noises), and oversleeping. Treatment guidelines for migraines include medicine, pain management, diet changes, avoiding foods that trigger migraines, staying hydrated, getting adequate sleep, and exercising regularly. Prevention of migraine triggers include getting regular exercise, drinking water daily, reducing stress, and avoiding trigger foods.
Migraines and Seizures (Symptoms, Auras, Medication)
Migraines are a type of headache and seizures are the main symptom of epilepsy. Migraine headaches and seizures are two different neurological problems that have similar signs, symptoms, and auras, for example, sensitivity to light (photophobia) and sound, irritability, nausea, and vomiting.Symptoms unique to migraine and migraine auras are water retention, problems sleeping, appetite changes, and talkativeness. Symptoms unique to seizure and seizures auras are depression, a feeling of heaviness, a feeling that a seizure is approaching, and depression.
Many of the symptoms of migraine and seizures are the same, however, seizures do not cause migraines; however, people who have seizures are twice as likely to have migraines and vice-versa. People who have migraines are twice as likely to have seizures, and people with seizures are twice as likely to have migraines; however, one condition does not cause the other.
Migraine and Stroke
Migraine headache is a type of headache in which the exact cause is not known; however, they may be inherited, and certain foods and environmental factors can trigger and may contribute them. A stroke (brain attack) happens when a blood vessel in the brain leaks, bursts, or becomes blocked, which can be caused by many other health problems. Both migraines and strokes can can cause severe head pain (migraine pain usually is only on one side of the head). Migraine aura symptoms may mimic or feel like a stroke or mini-stroke (transient ischemic attack, TIA) because they have similar symptoms and signs like severe headache, numbness in the legs, feet, arms, hands, or face, nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. Other migraine aura symptoms include vision problems like flashing lights or blind spots in one eye. The main difference between migraine headache and stroke symptoms and signs is that a migraine headaches usually come on gradually while a stroke symptoms come on suddenly and unexpectedly.
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Migraine vs. Headache: Differences and Similarities
Headaches are the most common reason why a person goes to the doctor or other healthcare professional for treatment. There are different types of headaches, for example, migraine, tension, and cluster headaches. The most common type of headache is tension headache. Migraine is much less common. There are few similarities between migraine and other headaches, for example, the severity of the pain can be the same, mild, moderate, or severe; and they can occur on one side or both sides of the head. However, there are many differences between migraine and other types of headaches. Migraine headaches also have different names, for example, migraine with aura and menstrual migraine.Symptoms of migraine that usually aren't experienced by a person with another type of headache include nausea, vomiting, worsens with mild exercise, debilitating pain, eye pain, throbbing head pain.
Migraine trigger include light, mild exercise, strong smells, certain foods like red wine, aged cheese, smoked meats, artificial sweeteners, chocolate, alcohol, and dairy products, menstrual period, stress, oversleeping, and changes in barometric pressure.
Untreated migraine attacks usually last from 4 to 72 hours, but may last for weeks. Most headaches resolve within 24-48 hours. Doctors don't know exactly what causes migraine headaches; however, other headaches like tension headaches have more specific triggers and causes. Additional tests usually are required to diagnose migraine from other types of headaches, diseases, or other medical problems. Most headaches can be treated and cured with home remedies like essential oils, massage, and over-the-counter pain medication like acetaminophen (Tylenol) and NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox, Naprosyn) or ibuprofen (Advil, Midol, Motrin). Most headaches resolve with OTC and home remedy treatment, while your doctor may need to prescribe medication to treat your migraines. If you have the "worst headache of your life," seek medical care immediately.
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What Causes Migraines?
A migraine is a complex disorder that involves episodes of recurrent and severe headaches. An episode of a migraine can be very painful, lasting for hours, making day-to-day activities difficult until the episode is resolved. The frequency and severity of migraine attacks tend to decline with age. And women are more likely to suffer from migraines than men.