Use your Migraine.com account
Log in with Facebook
Log in with Google
Log in with Yahoo!
Poll: Flashes, blurry vision, dizziness & confusion most common migraine aura symptoms.
April 7th, 2011 - Posted by Olivier Chateau Philadelphia, PA – An ongoing poll on the website Migraine.com asking migraine sufferers “Which type of aura symptoms do you experience?” has received over 1,500 votes to date. Migraine aura impacts about 10 million migraine sufferers in the U.S. and refers to a range of symptoms that typically strike before the head pain phase in a migraine attack.
The top two commonly reported migraine aura symptom were flashes / flickering lights and blurry vision with 48% and 40% of votes respectively. It is thought that auras are caused by a wave of nerve signals or impulses that move across the brain, causing a disruption in normal activity in those parts of the brain. In certain patients, the changes in the brain referred to as a cortical spreading depression can be seen slowly moving across part of the brain.
Dizziness and confusion comes as close third and forth common migraine aura symptoms. Often people who suffer from migraines use the words dizziness and lightheadedness interchangeably, because the symptoms are so similar. The causes of dizziness usually come from triggers such as foods, smells, and lack of sleep or alcohol.
As witnessed with CBS news reporter Serene Branson, who experienced symptoms of complex migraine while on the air, difficulty speaking was the fifth most reported migraine aura symptoms with 33% of votes.
Other poll highlights to date:
- Almost 28% of respondents experienced partial or total loss of vision which can significantly impact quality of life
- During a migraine attack different sensations may be felt throughout the body. Numbness and sensitivity to touch were also reported as frequent migraine aura symptoms with 30% and 16% of votes respectively.
- Decrease in / loss of hearing was reported by 23% of respondents.
Please visit the migraine aura symptom page for full poll results and to learn more about the most common migraine symptoms.
About the author: Olivier Chateau is Co Founder of Health Union LLC, the independent company that brings you Migraine.com
Did you enjoy this article?
Read more just like it! Subscribe to the Migraine.com weekly and receive the latest migraine news and headlines, right in your inbox.
Discuss
Comment using either your Migraine.com or Facebook account. Please select the appropriate tab:
"I had my first migraine when I was 12. I thought I was going blind, the spots in my vision all grouped together and everything went black. The pain was intense and felt like my head would crack open above my right eye." 
Do you have migraines or tension-type headaches 15 or more days a month? Get the information and tools you need.
Download the free Migraine.com app for your phone and access your journal, headlines and more.
You must be a member of the Migraine.com community to comment and participate. You can register here or log in if you already have an account.