Aura (symptom)

Aura (symptom)

An aura is a perceptual disturbance experienced by some with migraine or epilepsy before either the headache or seizure begins. It often manifests as the perception of a strange light, an unpleasant smell, or confusing thoughts or experiences. Some people experience aura without a subsequent migraine or seizure (a condition called "migraine aura without headache" or "acephalgic migraine").

Symptoms

Auras can be different for each person. They may include:

• Visual phenomena, such as seeing various shapes, bright spots, or flashes of light
• Vision loss
• Pins and needles sensations in an arm or leg
• Speech or language difficulties (aphasia)
• Less commonly, an aura may be associated with limb weakness (hemiplegic migraine).

Causes

Auras are typically caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. This can occur as a result of:

• Migraine
• Epilepsy
• Brain tumor
• Certain genetic disorders
• Certain medications

Treatment

Treatment for auras depends on the underlying cause. In many cases, treating the underlying condition (such as migraine or epilepsy) can help reduce the frequency and severity of auras.

See also

• Migraine
• Epilepsy
• Brain tumor
• Aphasia
• Hemiplegic migraine

References

Aura (symptom) Resources
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