An aura is the perceptual disturbance experienced by some migraine sufferers before a migraine headache, and the telltale sensation experienced by some epileptics before a seizure. It often manifests as a strange light or an unpleasant smell.

An aura does not necessitate the onset of either a migraine or a seizure and not everyone who suffers from migraines or seizures will experience auras. Though auras tend to be an unpleasant and irritating sensation, they can be beneficial. Most injuries from seizures occur when there is no warning. Auras allow epileptics time to prevent injury to themselves. A person may have an aura from several seconds up to 60 minutes before a migraine or seizure. Most people who have auras have the same type of aura every time.

An aura sensation can include:

• Visual Changes.
  • Bright lights.
  • Zigzag lines.
  • Distortions in the size or shape of object.
  • Slowly spreading spots.
  • Blind or dark spots in the field of vision.
• Hearing voices or sounds (auditory hallucinations).
• Strange smells (olfactory hallucinations).
• Feelings of numbness or tingling on one side of the face or body.
• Feeling separated from one's body.
• Anxiety or fear.
• Nausea.
• Weakness, unsteadiness.

See also

• paraesthesia
• synaesthesia

External links

• About.com aura summary
• Epilepsy.com information
• Migraine Aura Foundation

medical terms | Symptoms