Reviewed by Dr. Jared Nabeta, General Dentist (DDS)
For roughly a quarter to a third of people with migraine headaches, an attack announces itself before the pain even starts. A Migraine with aura brings temporary neurological symptoms, most often visual, shimmering zigzag lines, flashing spots, or expanding blind spots, that build gradually over five to twenty minutes and typically resolve as the headache pain begins.
Aura happens because of a wave of altered electrical activity that spreads slowly across the surface of the brain, known as cortical spreading depression. While vision is affected most often, aura can also involve tingling or numbness that spreads across one side of the body, difficulty finding words, or, less commonly, brief weakness.
Some people experience aura at every migraine attack, others only occasionally, and a smaller group experiences aura without any headache pain following it at all, sometimes called a silent migraine.
Common Aura Symptoms to Recognize
● Shimmering, zigzag, or flashing lights in the vision
● Expanding blind spots or blurred vision
● Tingling or numbness spreading across one side of the body
● Temporary difficulty speaking or finding words
● Symptoms building gradually, then resolving as pain begins
Any new or first-time aura symptoms, especially if they’re one-sided, sudden rather than gradual, or don’t fully resolve, deserve prompt medical evaluation to rule out other causes.
Reach out to our dental office Burlington ON to learn more.
To book a consultation, call Nabeta Dentistry at (905) 639-6701 or request an appointment online at NabetaDentistry.com/appointment-request. Dr. Jared Nabeta, General Dentist, assesses jaw pain and TMD, including headache related to TMD. Treatment for migraine is offered only for migraine diagnosed by a physician, alongside the patient’s physician.