Auras: Signals that a Migraine is Coming

The shortest phase of a migraine headache but perhaps the most important phase for the sufferer to be aware of is the aura. Those unfamiliar with migraines may not understand the importance of the aura. In fact, even those who suffer with migraines may think the headache is only one long period of pain. However, many are not aware a migraine is actually a series of five distinct stages. The first stage, the prodomal phase, is generally up to two days in duration. The second phase, which is the aura stage, generally lasts about sixty minutes. The third stage is the headache phase. This phase generally lasts from four hours as long as three days. Next, there is the resolution of migraine and recovery period, which can last as long as two days. The final stage is the migraine interval phase. This is the period of time between the end of the resolution stage and the beginning of the next prodomal stage.

In this article, we will focus on the second stage, which is the aura phase. In general, nearly 25% of patients who experience migraines can tell when they are about to suffer a headache. This stage where patients can tell a headache is coming is called the aura phase. It usually takes five to twenty minutes to develop and will last about an hour.

Auras can be different with different people. Some patients who are about to suffer a headache say they may start to yawn or even feel hungry or thirsty. Also, some may know a migraine is coming if they start to smell a distinct odor. Some even report their sense of touch becomes distorted or they suddenly begin to have trouble speaking and moving.

More commonly, however, an aura is visual. Patients often report seeing flashing or dazzling lights just before a migraine attacks. Other patients say their vision becomes distorted; with objects and people seeming to be split or have jagged edges. An aura may also cause a patient to see black spots and have blurred vision. Others say their aura phase is similar to looking through falling snow, seeing static on TV or even a distorted glass mosaic. Generally each person will have the same aura every time they have a migraine, however, some patients says their auras are different at different times.

While most migraine patients are frightened or disturbed by their auras, some liken them to a magical or mystical experience. These individuals believe the experience of the aura is deeply creative with some having hallucinatory auras. During these auras patients may visualize a range of things including animals, pseudo humans and psychic visions.

Surprisingly enough, many of the famous people were migraine sufferers and have likely experienced auras. Famous migraine sufferers include Elvis Presley, Whoopi Goldberg, Princess Margaret, late sister of Queen Elizabeth II, "Alice in Wonderland" creator Lewis Carroll, Miguel de Cervantes, Emily Dickinson, Sigmund Freud and Friedrich Nietzsche.

If you do experience auras, you can use them to help minimize or even stop the beginning of a migraine. In order to do this you should stay in a dark room once you identify an aura. Taking soluble painkillers and medications that have buclizine, also known as meclizine, may also help. However, if over-the-counter treatments do not seem to help to relieve your aura and stop your migraine, you should contact your physician for a prescription medication.

Auras: Signals that a Migraine is Coming