Scientists do not yet know the exact causes of migraine with aura, but they are aware of common triggers. Some migraine triggers include hormonal changes, dehydration, and caffeine.
Migraine is a condition often accompanied by symptoms such as nausea and light sensitivity.
Many people with migraine experience a variety of more extensive visual and sensory symptoms known collectively as an aura. These symptoms may include flashes of light, blind spots, hallucinations, and an inability to speak clearly.
This article discusses why a person may have a sudden increase in migraine with aura and when they should contact a doctor.
A note about sex and gender
Sex and gender exist on spectrums. This article will use the terms “male,” “female,” or both to refer to sex assigned at birth. Click here to learn more.
“Aura” refers to various visual, sensory, and speech disturbances that can occur with or without a headache. These usually last up to 60 minutes but sometimes last for several days.
According to a review in the
- visual changes, such as seeing flashes of light, spots, or zigzag lines or experiencing a temporary loss of vision
- sensory changes, such as numbness or tingling in the arms, legs, fingers, or face
- speech changes, such as difficulty finding words and garbled speech
- weakness or difficulty moving the arms, legs, or face
Throughout a person’s life, both the number of times they experience migraine with aura and how they experience these episodes can change. People may also notice that their aura symptoms continue without accompanying headaches as they age.
Learn more about migraine with aura.
Many of the same factors that trigger migraine without aura can also cause migraine with aura. These potential causes include the following:
Environmental and genetic triggers
According to the
Genes and environmental triggers may also play a role in this inflammation.
The OWH notes that although migraine is more common in females, males are more likely to develop migraine with aura.
Hormonal changes
Hormones, including estrogen, can play a role in how frequently a person experiences migraine.
According to the Migraine Research Foundation, females are more likely than males to develop migraine. However, after menopause, the number of migraine episodes tends to decrease.
As a result of changing hormone levels before menopause, the American Migraine Foundation indicates that some females may be more prone to migraine if they are more sensitive to hormonal changes.
Episodes can occur following pregnancy or before a period due to drops in hormone levels associated with these events.
However, it is vital for people who experience migraine with aura episodes to discuss birth control options with a healthcare professional. Combination birth control pills, which contain estrogen, link to a small increase in the risk of ischemic stroke in people who experience migraine with aura.
Contraception without estrogen may be a safer choice for individuals with migraine with aura.
Underlying medical conditions
If a person first experiences migraine-like symptoms after the age of 60 years, an underlying condition may be responsible. Likewise, if new medical conditions occur, they could affect both the triggers and treatment of migraine.
Some underlying conditions associated with migraine include:
If one or more of these conditions triggers migraine with aura, treating that condition may help prevent future migraine episodes.
New or worsening triggers
People can also have different sensitivities to their environment that could cause migraine symptoms to increase in frequency over time.
There are several common triggers that a person may become more sensitive to or experience more frequently. Some common migraine triggers include:
- stress
- caffeine
- hormonal changes
- alcohol consumption
- dehydration
- overusing medications
- certain smells
- changes in a person’s:
- routine
- sleep patterns
- environment, such as exposure to bright light
- diet
Exposure to new potential triggers or changes in habits could cause more frequent and sudden migraine with aura episodes.
A person can record their headaches and symptoms to help identify possible new triggers causing the episodes.
It may not always be possible to prevent chronic migraine, but there are some steps a person can take to help reduce the severity or duration of episodes.
Most treatment plans include avoiding known triggers and taking preventive medications a doctor prescribes.
Some other things a person can do that may help prevent episodes include:
- including more healthy foods in their diet and avoiding processed foods
- limiting caffeine and alcohol intake
- practicing activities and exercises that encourage relaxation, such as deep breathing and yoga
- maintaining a consistent sleep routine
When a person begins experiencing aura symptoms, moving into a quiet, dark room and closing the eyes can be helpful. Placing a cold compress on the forehead or the back of the neck may also help ease migraine pain.
There are three main areas of treatment for migraine with aura:
Lifestyle and trigger management
This involves adjusting lifestyle factors and patterns to avoid or limit exposure to certain triggers.
Acute treatments
Acute treatments include medications to stop a migraine episode while it is happening or reduce its severity or duration.
Medications include:
Preventive treatments
These include medications that may prevent migraine episodes from starting and reduce their frequency and severity, such as:
According to the American Migraine Foundation, a person needs emergency medical care if there is an immediate onset of symptoms or the symptoms do not go away within 60 minutes.
People should also contact their doctor as soon as possible if they experience symptoms such as weakness on one side of the body or changes in alertness. Migraine with aura
Additionally, it is important to talk with a doctor if a medication is no longer working. This could be due to an increase in symptoms, a change in other medications, or the onset of side effects from those medications.
Before starting or stopping any medication, a person should talk with their doctor.
Why am I suddenly getting migraine with aura?
Some reasons for sudden migraine with aura include stress, environmental changes, certain foods, and insufficient sleep.
Can aura migraine be a symptom of a brain tumor?
Some research has found links between migraine with aura and occipital tumors. If symptoms include vision changes, talk with a doctor.
Is migraine with aura a stroke risk?
Migraine with aura
Why is my migraine increasing in frequency?
Reasons for migraine frequently increasing include hormonal changes, environmental changes, underlying medical conditions, and new or worsening triggers.
Migraine with aura can get worse for several reasons, including changes in other medical conditions, triggers, or hormones.
People should talk with a doctor if they notice that their symptoms are changing, becoming more severe, or increasing in frequency.