Migraine with aura means you experience sensory disturbances before or during a migraine headache. These usually begin about 30 minutes to an hour before the headache kicks in and last up to an hour.
Common aura symptoms include:
- Zigzag lines, flashing lights, or blind spots in your vision
- Tingling or numbness in your Show Full Answer
Migraine with aura means you experience sensory disturbances before or during a migraine headache. These usually begin about 30 minutes to an hour before the headache kicks in and last up to an hour.
Common aura symptoms include:
- Zigzag lines, flashing lights, or blind spots in your vision
- Tingling or numbness in your arm, leg, or face
- Trouble speaking or finding words
- Hearing sounds with no source
- Strange smells or sudden personality changes One MyMigraineTeam member described their experience as starting with a small missing spot in their vision, followed by bright wavy lines, and then a full migraine — a good example of how auras can come in stages.
It's worth noting that about 25–30% of people with migraines experience aura, so it's less common than migraine without aura. If you're noticing new visual disturbances, sudden muscle weakness, or trouble speaking, it's important to see a doctor promptly. Some aura symptoms can look similar to more serious conditions, and a neurologist can help confirm a migraine diagnosis and rule anything else out.
July 4