Migraine with aura

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Brain

Migraine with aura

Definition:

Migraine headaches are repeated or recurrent headaches, often accompanied by other symptoms. Most people with migraines do not have any warning before it occurs. However, in some people, a visual disturbance called an aura happens before the headache starts.

See also:

Alternative Names:
Migraine - classic; Headache - migraine with aura
Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

text continues below

Migraine headaches are a common type of chronic headache. They affect about 11 out of 100 people. Most do not have auras.

A migraine is caused by abnormal brain activity, which is triggered by stress, food, or some other factor. The exact chain of events is not known. However, it seems to involve various nerve pathways and chemicals in the brain. The changes affect blood flow in the brain and surrounding membranes.

Migraines occur in women more than men, most often between the ages of 10 and 46 years. In some cases, they appear to run in families.

Migraine attacks may be triggered by:

Allergic reactions
Bright lights
Loud noises
Physical or mental stress
Changes in sleep patterns
Smoking or exposure to tobacco smoke
Missed meals
Alcohol
Caffeine
Hormonal fluctuations (related to menstrual cycles or use of birth control pills)
Other conditions

Foods associated with migraine include:

Foods containing the amino acid tyramine (red wine, aged cheese, smoked fish, chicken livers, figs, some beans)
Chocolates
Nuts and peanut butter
Fruits (avocado, banana, citrus fruit)
Onions
Dairy products
Baked goods
Meats containing nitrates (bacon, hot dogs, salami, cured meats)
Foods containing monosodium glutamate (MSG)
Any processed, fermented, pickled, or marinated foods

True migraine headaches are not a result of underlying brain tumors or other serious medical problems. However, only an experienced physician can determine whether headache symptoms represent migraine or some underlying medical condition that requires further tests. This assessment can only be made after a review of a patient's history and a thorough neurological examination.