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Sudden Increase in Migraines with Aura: Understanding the Causes and Finding Relief

Are you experiencing a sudden surge in migraines with aura? You’re not alone. Migraines with aura are a complex phenomenon, characterized by debilitating headaches accompanied by sensory disturbances such as visual, auditory, sensory, motor, and speech symptoms. If you’re struggling to understand why you’re experiencing more frequent or severe migraines with aura, read on to discover potential causes and learn how to manage your symptoms.

Understanding Migraines with Aura

Migraines with aura affect approximately one-quarter to one-third of people who experience migraines. The exact cause of an uptick in migraine attacks with aura is still unclear, but research suggests that environmental triggers, hormonal changes, and neurological conditions may play a role.

Types of Migraine Aura Symptoms

Migraine aura symptoms can be divided into four categories:

• Visual Aura: sudden blind spots, flashbulb-like pops in vision, jagged lines of bright light
• Auditory Aura: ringing in ears, hearing noises or music that aren’t there
• Sensory Aura: sudden tingling or prickly feeling in the hands, face, or body
• Motor Aura: sudden weakness on one side of the body or face (rare, indicates hemiplegic migraine)

Causes of Migraines with Aura

While the exact causes of migraines with aura are still unknown, research suggests that:

• Hormonal Shifts: women may experience more frequent or severe migraines during times of hormonal change (periods, pregnancy, puberty, menopause)
• Environmental Triggers: stress, lack of sleep, certain foods, and changes in sleep schedules or exposure to bright lights, loud noises, or intense smells can trigger migraines
• Medical Conditions: neurological conditions such as stroke, brain trauma, seizures, brain tumors, and increased migraine attacks in general may contribute to migraines with aura

Finding Relief

While there is no sure-fire way to prevent migraines with aura, researchers offer several treatment techniques:

• Prevention Meds: ongoing medications can help manage symptoms, including beta-blockers, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and calcium channel blockers
• Pain Relief Meds: over-the-counter pain relievers, triptans, and ER migraine cocktails can provide relief during an attack
• Lifestyle Changes: keeping a schedule, learning your triggers, building a “migraine kit,” and rethinking your diet may help reduce frequency and severity of attacks

When to Seek Medical Attention

If you experience any of the following, seek immediate medical attention:

• Sudden, severe new migraine symptoms (including aura)
• New vision problems during the aura or migraine episode
• Thunderclap headache (sudden, severe head pain that could indicate a blood vessel tear)
• Migraine attack with facial drooping or other signs of stroke

The Bottom Line

Migraines with aura are complex and debilitating, but by understanding potential causes and seeking medical attention when necessary, you can take steps towards managing your symptoms and finding relief. Always inform your doctor if you experience new types of migraine or an unexplained increase in attacks with aura.