What About Aura & Migraine Pain?

Migraine attacks and pain generally begins between the ages of
10 and 40, and diminishes after 50. The two primary types of
migraines are with aura and without aura.

Migraine without aura is a common migraine without aura but
exhibits the same symptoms as a classic migraine except that it
does not exhibit any aura.

People who primarily suffer from migraine with aura may also
have attacks of migraine without aura. Headache with the
features of "migraine without aura" usually follows the aura
symptoms. Less commonly, the aura may occur without a subsequent
headache or the headache may be non-migrainous in type.

Migraine with aura is a classical migraine preceded by an aura
before the attack. The aura occurs for about 10-30 minutes and
then is usually followed by a headache. It is quite similar to a
common migraine except in the aspect of the aura.

About 15% of migraine sufferers have a early warning that the
headache is coming on. This change in brain function is called
an "aura". It is usually a visual symptom, such as an arc of
sparkling (scintillating) zig-zag lines or a blotting out of
vision or both. The aura is due to changes that take place in
the cortex, the outer layer of the brain. This slowly spreading
depression of nerve cell activity is believed to account for the
pattern of development of the typical aura.

Auras set in about 20-30 minutes before the migraine attack.
Some patients also describe the presence of a strange odor,
before the onset of a migraine. They also experience a tingling
sensation in an arm or leg.

In the classic migraine aura, symptoms build up gradually and
move slowly from one visual region or one part of the body to
another. For example, the migraine aura sufferer may first
notice a black spot in the field of vision. This black spot is
often surrounded by flashing lights or bright zig-zag lines as
mentioned.

What starts this sequence of events that leads to the aura and
migraine? The answers to thisquestion are not fully understood.
Migraine sufferers have an inborn susceptibility to factors that
normally do not trigger headaches.

In people with migraines, changes in body chemistry, such as
menstruation, certain foods, and dozens of environmental
influences, such as a change in weather, may trigger a migraine
attack. A migraine trigger is any factor that, on exposure or
withdrawal, leads to the development of an acute migraine
headache. Triggers may be categorized as behavioral,
environmental, infectious, dietary, chemical, or hormonal. In
medical literature, these factors are known as 'precipitants. '

Neither type of migraine denotes a life-threatening disorder
but, they can be chronic and recurrent, thus interfering with a
person's daily lifestyle.

Both migraine types have the usual pain, nausea, vomiting and
intolerance to light and sound, which is worsened by any
physical activity.

Treatment? The treatment for migraines begins with simple
painkillers for headache and anti-emetics for nausea, and
avoidance of triggers if present. Specific anti-migraine drugs
can be used to treat migraine. Homeopathic Drugs and Special all
natural ingredient products such as those at the Centre for Pain
Relief in Burlington, New Jersey have proven effective. If the
migraine condition is severe and frequent enough, preventative
drugs might be considered. The most commonly used "reversal"
medicines are triptans. Triptans work by boosting the effects of
the brain chemical serotonin, which reduces the severity and
duration of an attack. Propranolol, a beta blocker, and
Topiramate have proven effective for migraine sufferers as well.

When it comes to treatment however, "Migraine is the most
misunderstood, misdiagnosed, and mistreated condition in medical
practice," states Dr. Seymour Diamond, M.D., who is the
executive chairman for the National Headache Foundation and
director of the Diamond Headache Clinic in Chicago.

As always, talk to your doctor about whether or not you have
with Aura or without Aura to find the medication that works best
for you.

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Info. Also, Centre for Pain Relief Migraine Products at
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Relief Research 506 Lindsley Ct. Burlington, NJ