Migraine AuraA migraine aura is typical of about 15 to 20% all the migraine headache sufferers in the world. Many migraine sufferers have a warning that the headache is coming on, known as a migraines with aura. Yes, there are many different types of migraines, some with this aura and some people will experience a migraine aura without headache. 
Migraines With AuraThe aura is a change in brain function with subtle to alarming signs. It is usually a visual symptom, such as an arc of sparkling (scintillating) zig-zag lines or a blind spot in ones field of vision or both. But any other brain-related symptom may occur, such as numbness of one side of the face and hand, weakness, unsteadiness, or altered consciousness. In past years migraines with aura were thought to be caused by spasm of blood vessels supplying parts of the brain, and the headache was thought to be due to subsequent expansion (dilation) of blood vessels in the head. Truth be told, it is not that simple. Read here about different types of migraines. Migraine Headache CausesThe cause of the pain, of migraine headache has been discussed at great length. Briefly, Headache pain follows certain changes that take place in the nerves to the major blood vessels in the head.The aura is due to changes that take place in the cortex, the outer layer of the brain. Causes of Headaches and TriggersNeurons ( nerve cells ) of the brain are always active. This can be demonstrated by the electrical activity they generate on the electroencephalogram (EEG). In experiments with animals, the EEG shows a depression (lowering) of nerve cell activity below a spot on the cortex of the brain that has been stimulated. Surrounding the area of depressed activity is a zone in which nerve cells have become hyperactive. Some have hypothesized that a similar pattern of decreased and increased nerve cell activity occurs in the brain of a person with migraine, following the stimulus of a migraine "trigger." Symptoms of a Migraine AuraWhen the activity of nerve cells is depressed, there is impairment of function in the part of the body controlled by these cells.For example, in migraines with aura there may be a loss of vision or of strength. Increased activity of brain nerve cells may result in flashing lights or tingling in the face and hand. In the experiments with animals, the depression of nerve cell activity slowly spreads beyond the initial spot of stimulation. This phenomenon is called spreading depression. It is preceded by a wave of increased nerve cell activity. Lack of Blood Flow?The migraine aura visual component is possibly linked to the basilar artery and for some reason a reduction of blood flow. Reduced blood flow in kind, produces a reduction of oxygen provided the visual cortex.This is considered an ischemic event. Ischemia means lack of normal blood flow. You might be familiar with coronary heart disease. If the coronary artery becomes slowly blocked by atherosclerotic plaque the heart muscle gets weaker until an area of the myocardium shuts down. That is an extreme example of the effects of ischemia. Likewise, it is imperative that for your brain not experience ischemia. However, some consider the aura and Likewise, it is imperative that for your brain not experience ischemia. However, some consider the aura and other aspects of headache conditions to be linked with this type of internal mechanism.
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