Along with the strong pain of migraine headaches, some people who suffer from them experience foreshadowing of oncoming migraines through visual or other sensations. These are called auras. Sometimes they also accompany migraines as well as precede them. Preventative medications such as antidepressants, anti-seizure medications and cardiovascular drugs can help stave off the effects of migraines and their auras.
Visual
Most people who experience migraine auras have visual manifestations of them. These may include light flashes, scotomas or blind spots in the field of vision, spots or stars that appear to shimmer, a vision loss or lines that meander across you sight line. According to the Mayo Clinic, these types of auras may begin at the center of vision, then spread or appear to move outward.
Tingling or Numbness
While more rare, some migraine sufferers experience tingling sensations in the arms, hands, legs or feet. They also may experience tingling or numbness in the face.
Speech
Auras also can affect your ability to speak correctly or use the language as you normally would. This type of confusion can be disconcerting for both you and those around you.
Confusion
Another disconcerting aura may be a general sense of confusion. This may be associated with time, day, date or time, or with simple things such as how to do normal, every day things. As with most auras, this typically will last up to a half an hour prior to the onset of the migraine itself.
Symptoms
Along with any or all of the typical auras experienced prior to or during migraine attacks, you also may become nauseous and vomit. There also may be a temporary precursor to the migraine of severe pain in the head. This frequently is only on one side of the skull. Another possible symptom with auras is light sensitivity. Skin sensitivity or pain also may occur. This can happen with common activities such as contact lens wearing or coming your hair.
