Migraine with aura

ARTICLE SECTIONS

Introduction Signs and symptoms Causes Risk factors When to seek medical advice

Screening and diagnosis Complications Treatment Self-care

Introduction

Millions of Americans experience migraines, a type of headache that's often severe and can be disabling. In most cases, migraines occur without warning signs. However, some people who get migraines experience a variety of mostly visual sensations that come before, and sometimes accompany, the pain of a migraine attack — a condition called migraine with aura.

Most often, a migraine with aura is characterized by visual disturbances such as flashes of light, zigzagging patterns or even blind spots. However, a migraine with aura may also be accompanied by other sensations, such as numbness or tingling in parts of your body, and speech problems.

While pain relievers may relieve migraine head pain, there's no treatment for relieving the aura component of migraine with aura. Preventive medications and self-care measures, including avoiding migraine triggers, may help prevent a migraine with aura.

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Signs and symptoms