Aura (symptom)
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In neurology, perceptual disturbances and affects that are usually followed by an attack of migraine or epilepsy are called aura. The aura is one of the many symptoms that are the same or at least very similar in both diseases, and in individual cases cannot easily be assigned to one or the other.
Some studies suggest that migraine and epilepsy are cerebral seizure disorders with possibly similar causes, there are comparable and confusable clinical phenomena. According to epidemiological studies, they have a disproportionate comorbidity.
"Epilepsy and migraine can cause similar symptoms - especially in childhood. In the first place, for example, the spreading sensory sensations in migraine accompagnée ('sans migraine') can often be difficult to distinguish from a sensory Jackson seizure in epilepsy ('march')."
In migraine, a few seconds or even a whole hour can pass between the aura and the occurrence of the seizure. In contrast, the aura of epilepsy is only felt shortly before a seizure. Since those affected are usually aware of the corresponding sensations, they can sometimes still lie down on the floor in time or give a sign to those present.
An aura can be confused with panic, panic attacks, acute anxiety disorder, or stroke; making diagnosis more difficult.
See also
- Aura (epilepsy)
- Aura (migraine)
Questions and Answers
Q: What is an aura in medical terms?
A: An aura is a neurological condition that refers to changes in perception such as sight, sound, smell, taste or bodily sensations that people may experience before an epileptic seizure or migraine.
Q: What does the term 'aura' mean?
A: The term 'aura' comes from the Greek word for breeze.
Q: What kind of conditions can aura be associated with?
A: Aura can be associated with both epileptic seizures and migraines.
Q: How is an aura related to the brain?
A: An aura is related to the way the brain works, making it a neurological condition.
Q: What are some examples of changes in perception experienced during an aura?
A: Changes in perception can include things such as visual disturbances, auditory hallucinations, unpleasant smells or tastes, and strange bodily sensations.
Q: Is an aura a common symptom of epileptic seizures and migraines?
A: Yes, an aura is a common symptom for both epileptic seizures and migraines.
Q: Are there treatments available for aura?
A: There is no cure for aura, but there are treatments available for epilepsy and migraines to manage symptoms overall.
