We all experience headaches at some point in our lives. They can be intermittent or severe enough to disrupt our daily routines. These headaches can often cause visual changes. What is a migraine? Migraine is a severe headache that can be recurrent and is usually only experienced on one side. An aura is a feeling that occurs just before one of these attacks.
Symptoms
- An aura can manifest as visual flashes, spots, or ringing in your ears that are opposite the side where the headache is due to occur. A migraine attack can also cause dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and double vision.
- What is an optical migraine? An optical migraine is a type of migraine that occurs before a migraine attack. However, there is no pain. This is more common than severe migraines. It is also known as acephalgic or visual or ocular headache. It is a migraine aura that does not include headaches. Flashing lights that look like “fortress-like” or zigzag lights are the visual disturbances experienced. These auras are usually small visual marches that cross the field of vision and then slowly fade away. These attacks can last from a few minutes to an hour. It will usually start with a headache and then the pain will begin within an hour. An optical migraine can also occur as a blind spot in your field of vision.
- How do I know if I have an optical migraine? If you experience the same symptoms over and over again over many years, it is usually a sign of migraine. If the aura is the same, it is called optical migraine. If the visual pattern changes, it could be more serious. In this instance, a doctor should be consulted.
- What could be causing these migraines? It is still unknown what causes migraines. There have been theories that migraines could be caused by allergies, brain swelling, or endocrine disorders. It is caused by disruptions in blood circulation in the brain. It has been shown that pain is caused by the dilation of blood vessels in the brain.
- Are there other causes of headaches that are more serious than migraines? Not all headaches are caused by migraines. You may need to see a doctor if you have more serious symptoms. Partial seizures can also cause visual changes. A detached retina, transient ischemic attack or mini-stroke, multiple sclerosis, or even a brain tumour could all be causes.
- Who is more likely get an optical migraine? Optical migraines are more common in women than in men, with a ratio of 3 to 1. This is a common illness that can be passed down.
- What are the most common treatments for optical migraines? Patients with this condition are often prescribed aspirin and sedatives. The symptoms can be relieved by sleeping in a dark place or resting. If severe headaches are present, you can get relief by injecting triptans, nasal spraying, or ingestion of the same drug.
Conclusion
You can now determine if the strange visual disturbances you are experiencing are auras that precede a migraine attack, or if they are an optical migraine. It is important to recognize the symptoms associated with headaches. The key is to observe. It is important to recognize signs that you may be experiencing a migraine attack. If you do, you should consult a doctor immediately. These headaches could be life-threatening.
