Seizure Auras - Everything You Need To Know
About a year ago, I wrote an article about the four “stages” of a seizure. And during this post, I discussed the prodromal phase (which is also known as an “aura”). But today, I thought I’d dive deeper into this stage specifically. Because it’s a fascinating aspect of seizures and epilepsy!
What are seizure auras?
An “aura” is a set of symptoms that’s caused by a focal seizure, and it usually signals that a larger seizure is approaching. And they occur because focal seizures (which are localized to one side of the brain) can (and oftentimes do) spread to other areas once they begin. Which intensifies the seizure.
So someone who has tonic clonic seizures, may always have those seizures begin with the prodromal phase (an aura) before they escalate. These auras can last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes, and they can occur minutes (or even an hour) before the bigger seizure.
Auras can be quite helpful to those who experience them. Because they allow the person to get to a safer location or warn someone close to them that they are about to have a large seizure. And if they frequently have auras that give them ample warning, they could even work out a plan with their doctor that includes taking emergency medication preemptively. But of course, that really depends on the situation.
What do people experience during an aura?
In terms of what a person actually experiences during an aura… It can vary depending on the area of the brain where the focal seizure is occurring. But some common symptoms associated with auras include…
Either Deja vu (the sense that something has happened before) or jamais vu (the sense that something or someone is new or unknown even when it’s/they’re not)
A feeling that a limb is bigger than it actually is
Intense feelings; some people experience a lot of joy, while others experience fear or a sense of dread
The feeling that a “wave” is moving throughout the head
An odd taste in the mouth, or sometimes an odd smell
Hallucinations like flashing lights
Racing thoughts
Numbness, tingling, or sometimes even stiffness and/or twitching in a certain area of the body
Dizziness and/or lightheadedness
Nausea
And a headache
How common are auras?
It’s unclear exactly how common auras are, but as of 2023… a study showed that anywhere between 22-83% of people with epilepsy have auras. But another study, with a relatively small sample size, reported that 70% of the patients with generalized epilepsy experienced auras.
In general, auras can occur in those with focal or generalized epilepsies.
How are auras diagnosed?
Since auras are seizures in of themselves, diagnosis for them follows the same pattern as diagnosing other types of seizures. Which can include tests like…
An MRI
Or a CT scan
How are auras treated?
Similarly, auras are treated with the same protocol as any other type of seizure. Which usually consists of medications, such as…
It’s really just a matter of trial and error, to figure out which medication suits the patient. And sometimes additional treatments may be suggested, depending on the severity of the situation. Because you have to keep the larger seizures in mind as well, and treat both those and the auras accordingly.
Conclusion
So to wrap things up… Auras are a type of seizure all on their own, a focal one to be exact. Which means that they can be diagnosed and treated in a similar manner to other types of seizures. But they can provide some valuable warning to those who experience them, letting them know that another seizure could be imminent.
Sources
As always, here’s a list of my sources for this post… So that you can learn even more about the topic if you want! And so you have the assurance that my posts are as factual as I can possibly make them.
https://www.webmd.com/epilepsy/seizure-with-aura
https://www.cedars-sinai.org/health-library/diseases-and-conditions/a/auras.html
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/what-is-a-seizure-aura#sensation
https://www.verywellhealth.com/seizure-aura-4783782
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