What’s a migraine aura?
A migraine is not just a bad headache!
It can be a much more complex condition-and some people experience symptoms that are pretty strange.
Migraine usually involves a severe throbbing headache behind one eye, difficulty being in the light, and nausea or vomiting , and an episode can last from hours to days.
Sometimes people get odd sensations many hours before the headache occurs, like a change in mood or appetite.
So what’s an aura?
Just before the headache starts, some people develop an “aura”- this most commonly involves a disturbance in vision- which may include flashes of light, blind spots or shimmering lines.
A migraine aura may also cause numbness which affects the arm and then face (though usually there are visual symptoms too).
Even less commonly, it may involve difficulty speaking.
Sufferers feel the familiar depressing realisation that a migraine is starting!
It tends to improve and settle after 20 to 60 minutes as the headache starts.
There are a variety of medications that may prevent the onset of migraine if taken at the time of the aura.
5 strange auras
(1) A “scotoma” – this is an area of complete visual loss; a blob of blindness – it feels quite weird.
(2) Movement, shaking or bubbling of objects you’re looking at – this can be pretty nauseating.
(3) Flashes & shimmering.
(4) Gradually expanding dancing lines of flickering light, often in a c-shape.
(5) Numbness of the arm, starting in the hand and moving up until it reaches the face and mouth – pretty scary, and easily mistaken for stroke symptoms – if you’re in any doubt, call an ambulance.
If you think you’re suffering from migraine you should definitely seek advice
Migraine is pretty grim- it costs the Australian economy billions in sick-days and is often fairly preventable if you know how. Speak to a GP, and they can help decide if your symptoms are consistent with migraine or whether something else might be going on. You may need a physical examination, blood pressure check, blood tests and/or some investigations, depending on your symptoms. For more information on migraines, check out the following patient resources:
Sinus Infection: Symptoms, How Long It Lasts, and When You Need a Doctor
Sinusitis, often called a sinus infection, is one of the most common reasons Australians start to feel wretched for a week or two after a cold. The good news is [...]
Can You Get a Free Medical Certificate Online in Australia?
An honest answer from a GP: mostly no, but there are some genuinely free routes, and they are worth knowing about. This page explains where free or bulk-billed [...]
Can You Get a Medical Certificate from a Pharmacy or Chemist Warehouse?
Pharmacy Medical Certificates in Australia: Rules, Limits and Costs If you wake up unwell and need proof for work, the local pharmacy can sometimes help. Pharmacists in Australia can [...]
Clinical review & governance
Medically reviewed by Dr AIFRIC BOYLAN
CEO
About Dr Aifric Boylan MB BCh BAO MICGP FRACGP DRCOG DCH Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, Dr Aifric Boylan is a general practitioner with more than 20 years' experience. She graduated in medicine from…
This health information has been clinically reviewed by an Australian doctor. Qoctor health pages are reviewed to support clear, evidence-informed guidance; they do not replace individual medical advice.
Telehealth is not suitable in all medical situations — patients will be advised if an in-person assessment is needed. In an emergency, call 000.