Migraine headaches with focal neurological signs are also known as migraine with aura. Migraine with aura is one of the two major subtypes of migraine headaches, the other being migraine without aura. Migraine headaches are severe headaches that interfere with normal functioning and can cause profound disability if frequent or untreated.

Causes

Many factors can initiate a migraine headache, including stress, hormonal changes such as menstrual cycles, sensory overstimulation, hunger, fatigue, environmental changes, head trauma, and certain foods and medications.

Risk Factors

Genetics and gender influence an individual's susceptibility to migraines. People with a family history of migraines are more likely to experience migraines, and women are two to three times more likely to experience migraine headaches than men.

Aura Onset

Approximately 30 percent of migraine headaches are preceded by an aura, a collection of focal neurological signs and symptoms. The aura usually develops over five to 20 minutes and lasts less than 60 minutes. The headache will often occur within 60 minutes of the end of the aura. The aura is usually composed of visual symptoms, both positive (flickering lights, spots, or zig-zag lines across the visual field) and negative (loss of vision). Sometimes, an aura involves numbness, weakness or confusion. It is also possible for auras to occur without a headache.

Symptoms

The migraine headache often involves throbbing pain on one side of the head and face. Nausea and vomiting frequently accompany a migraine headache, along with sensitivity to light, sound and touch. Most migraine headaches last between four and 72 hours without treatment.

Diagnosis

If you experience a migraine with aura, consult a physician immediately to rule out other causes of head pain such as stroke, head trauma, or retinal detachment. A full general and neurological medical exam will be conducted to determine the cause, if any, of the migraine attack.

Source:

"Pharmacotherapy: A pathophysiologic approach"; JP DiPiro, RL Talbert, GC Yee, GR Matzke, BG Wells, LM Posey, eds.; 2008

"Bates' Guide to Physical Examination and History Taking"; LS Bickley, ed.; 2003

More Information:

Mayo Clinic: Migraine With Aura Info

Migraine Aura Foundation