Migraine with aura is characterized by a change in vision that leads to the appearance of small bright spots or a blurring of the boundaries of the field of view, which can last 15 to 60 minutes, and followed by a very strong and constant headache. . In addition to headaches and visual sensations, migraine with aura can also cause sensory changes, excessive sweating, nausea and difficulty speaking, for example.
Migraine with aura has no specific cause and therefore does not have a specific treatment, but medications that relieve symptoms and reduce headaches, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, are generally indicated. In addition, it may be necessary to change certain eating or behavioral habits, such as lack of sleep, as these factors may contribute to the onset of migraine.
- The most common manifestations are visual disturbances.
- Which can appear as flashes of light.
- Dark spots.
- Or bright images.
- But other symptoms include:.
Although the aura is more common before the headache, the person may experience these visual symptoms during or after the migraine attack. If migraine episodes with aura are common, it is important to consult your family doctor or neurologist to make the diagnosis and indicate the best type of treatment.
The causes of migraine with aura are not yet very clear. One theory states that the headache followed is related to the narrowing of the blood vessels of the brain.
The use of contraceptives may promote migraine symptoms with aura, as it can stimulate changes in circulation. In addition, consumption of certain foods and beverages, such as teas, soft drinks, coffee, citrus, frying and fats, as well as sleeping more or less than usual or staying too long without eating, can cause migraines with aura. . Learn how to diet for migraines.
Migraine with aura during pregnancy tends to decrease due to the regular level of estrogen, which allows for dilation of vessels and the prevention of headaches. However, if a woman has a migraine with a constant aura during pregnancy, it is recommended that you consult the gynecologist to initiate appropriate treatment, which is usually done with a hormone replacement. Here’s how to relieve headaches during pregnancy.
There is no specific treatment for migraine with aura, however, there are several ways to relieve pain, which depend on the cause of migraine and the intensity of symptoms. For example, it is always recommended to consult a neurologist, or a general practitioner, to evaluate each case and initiate the most appropriate treatment.
Migraine pain remedies work best when they begin to be taken at the first sign of pain and are usually:
In most cases, migraine remedies are used in pill form, however, some also exist in the form of nasal spray, which have a faster effect.
These medications should only be used during the crisis, as most can cause side effects when used for extended periods. To avoid a new crisis, other types of safer remedies should be chosen for long-term use.
The use of medications to prevent future migraine attacks is mainly used in cases where migraine occurs more than twice a month. Here are some examples of medications that can be used:
In addition, injecting botox into the muscles around the head may also help prevent migraine in some people, so it may also be indicated by your doctor.
In addition to the medication indicated by your doctor, it is very important to have good daily habits, such as sleeping at least 7 hours, avoiding stressful situations, and exercising regularly.
However, eating can also go a long way to reducing headaches or preventing seizures, it’s important to avoid foods that normally lead to the onset of a migraine, such as red wine, beer, onions, chocolate or processed meats, for example. In addition, supplementation with magnesium, vitamin B12 and coenzyme Q10 also seems to increase the chances of having migraine. Here are some tips from our nutritionist:
To complete this natural treatment, teas from certain medicinal plants, such as tanacete leaves (Tanacetum parthenium) or petasites hybridus root, may also be used. See the recipe for other natural migraine-fighting remedies.