Mayo Clinic Health Manager

Get free personalized health guidance for you and your family.

Get Started

Free

E-Newsletter

Subscribe to receive the latest updates on health topics. About our newsletters

  • Housecall
  • Alzheimer's caregiving
  • Living with cancer

Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

Some people who get migraines also experience a variety of mostly visual sensations that come before or 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.

Pain relievers and prescription medications can treat a migraine with aura. But, preventive medications and self-care measures, including avoiding migraine triggers, may help you prevent a migraine with aura.

References
  1. Bajwa ZH, et al. Pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, and diagnosis of migraine in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 9, 2009.
  2. Headache: Hope through research. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/headache/detail_headache.htm?css=print. Accessed Jan. 11, 2009.
  3. Pelak VS. Approach to the patient with visual hallucinations. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 9, 2009.
  4. Ramzan M, et al. Headache, migraine, and stroke. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 9, 2009.
  5. Bajwa ZH, et al. Acute treatment of migraine in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 9, 2009.
  6. Migraine - What are the treatments? American Academy of Neurology. http://www.thebrainmatters.org/index.cfm?key=1.9.6 1/. Accessed Jan. 12, 2009.
  7. Bajwa ZH, et al. Preventive treatment of migraine in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 9, 2009.
  8. Swanson JW (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Jan. 15, 2009.
  9. Tinel D, et al. Vertebrobasilar ischemia after cervical spine manipulation: A case report. Annales de readaptation et de medecine physique 208;51:403.
  10. Haldeman S, et al. Stroke, cerebral artery dissection, and cervical spine manipulation therapy. Journal of Neurology. 2002;249:1098.

DS00908

March 3, 2009

© 1998-2009 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Reliable tools for healthier lives," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

Print Share Reprints

Text Size: smaller largerlarger