More than a Headache

Migraine is a neurological condition with a variety of symptoms that can exhibit differently between individuals. Aura is one of the most commonly reported accompanying signals along with a headache, so if you are unsure if what you are experiencing can be described as aura, read on.

One in Three

About one in three people with Migraine experience a visual disturbance or “aura” that precedes their headache.

Migraine aura can take on a number of forms. Many report seeing flashing lights - which can sometimes combine with zig zag lines, polka dots, or blind spots that expand and move. These symptoms will continue whether your eyes are open or closed.

As Migraine is a neurological condition, these symptoms originate not in the eye itself but in the brain and nervous system. In this case, aura is likely triggered in the visual cortex of the brain.

This aura effect often lasts between 15 to 20 minutes immediately preceding the headache. As the visual disturbance recedes, the headache typically begins. Often when a Migraine aura begins, customers immediately reach for their Migraine glasses, with the expectation that the impact and duration of the expected headache can be mitigated.

Some individuals as they grow older may experience fewer headaches, but a continuation of auras which are then not followed by a typical headache.

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"Zig Zag Light" by Victory of the People is licensed under CC BY 2.0