Migraine is a type of headache that can affect adults and children. There are two types of migraines that can occur, namely migraine with aura and without aura. Both types of migraine can be distinguished from symptoms.
Headaches due to migraines are generally felt on one side of the head, with moderate to severe intensity. However, migraines need to be distinguished from headaches. In addition to feeling throbbing head, migraine can make sufferers experience nausea, vomiting, and more sensitive to light or sound.
In addition, some migraine sufferers can also experience "aura", which is a symptom due to a disturbance in the nervous system that occurs just before or in conjunction with the appearance of headaches and other migraine symptoms. The aura is usually followed by a headache, no later than 60 minutes afterwards.
Aura Characteristics
Symptoms of this aura can occur in 15-30% of migraine sufferers. Auras generally appear gradually every 5-20 minutes, and only last between 5-60 minutes, except for symptoms of motor aura that can last up to 72 hours. In addition, migraine sufferers may experience two or more different aura symptoms in a row.
Aura symptoms need to be distinguished from prodromal and postdromal symptoms, which are symptoms that occur before and after a migraine.
Prodromal symptoms occur several hours or 1-2 days before the appearance of migraines, which are usually in the form of fatigue, difficulty concentrating, neck stiffness, sensitivity to light or sound, nausea, blurred vision, frequent yawning, and pale faces.
While postdromal symptoms occur after the headaches disappear, which is usually in the form of fatigue and mood swings (can be happier or sad) for up to 48 hours after the migraine disappears.
Types of Aura in Migraine
Aura in migraine can be divided into two types, namely a special aura and not typical. Which includes a special aura is a visual aura (vision), sensory, and speech / language. While those that are not typical aura are motor aura, brainstem, and retina.
1. Visual aura
Visual aura or vision is the most diverse forms of aura, such as:
- See flashes or flickering lights.
- The vision becomes blurry or foggy.
- Blind spots or dark areas of vision appear.
- Look at zigzag or colorful lines.
- See certain points, circles, or shapes.
- The field of vision narrows or temporary blindness.
2. Sensory aura
This aura is usually in the form of sensations such as pins and needles and tingling or numbness, which can appear anywhere on one side of the body, then spread slowly.
3. Aura of speech or language
This aura is characterized by aphasia, which is difficulty in communicating with others. People who experience this aura may find it difficult to determine the right words, difficult to understand writing or speech, difficulty concentrating, look confused, talk like mumbling, or speech slurred.
4. Motor aura
Motor aura is characterized by weakness on one side of the limb. Generally, this aura lasts less than 72 hours. But in some patients, it can last for weeks. Motor aura can occur along with sensory aura.
5. Brain stem aura
Brain stem aura is characterized by at least two of the following symptoms, which can disappear by themselves totally, namely:
- Speech disorders
- Head like spinning
- Ears ringing
- Hearing disorders
- Double view
- Ataxia (impaired coordination of body movements)
- Loss of consciousness
6. Retinal aura
This aura is similar to a visual aura, which is characterized by flashes of light, dark spots, or temporary blindness, but occurs repeatedly on one side of the eye only.
Difference between migraine with aura and without aura
Until now, researchers and doctors have not been able to determine whether migraine headaches with or without aura are different diseases or are two processes of the same disease.
An aura with or without a headache can be said to be a migraine with aura. Migraine with aura that is not accompanied by a headache is also called a silent migraine. Conversely, the diagnosis of migraine without aura is more emphasized on the symptoms of headaches and accompanying symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to light and sound.
Even so, the treatment of migraine with aura and without aura is no different, because aura symptoms themselves do not require special treatment.
Based on several studies, migraine sufferers with aura have a higher risk of having a stroke due to a blockage (ischemic stroke), atrial fibrillation, and coronary heart disease, when compared with migraine sufferers without aura.
It is also important to note by migraine sufferers with aura who are using hormonal birth control or smoking, because both of these factors can increase the risk of stroke even higher. Therefore, women who experience migraines with aura should consult a doctor first if they want to use hormonal birth control.
Aura symptoms are often difficult to distinguish from other, more serious neurological disorders, such as stroke, TIA (transient ischemic attack) or mild stroke, and epilepsy. So, see a doctor as soon as possible if it is your first time experiencing an aura, especially if this complaint arises after you have suffered a head injury or severe headache.
You also need to see a doctor if you experience sudden aura symptoms, last for more than an hour, only occur on one side of the eye, or don't improve on its own.
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