Epileptic aura: the phase before a seizure

By Cristiano Antonino On Jan 31, 2023

Does the term ‘aura’ mean anything to you? Migraine sufferers will certainly think of those symptoms that accompany some forms of headache

In addition to that, however, there is also an aura associated with epilepsy and in particular focal epilepsy

This is the initial phase of seizures and is characterised by particular subjective manifestations that only the person with epilepsy perceives, which are not visible to the outside world and which alert them to the onset of the seizure.

The duration is extremely variable, from a few seconds to a minute, as are the manifestations, which depend on the region of the cerebral cortex involved: if it is the one that allows us to hear sounds, the patient may hear music, voices, noises that do not exist.

If, on the other hand, the region that perceives visual stimuli is involved, visions of coloured lights, images or flashes will be created.

There is seldom just one manifestation, often there are many associated with each other: for example in temporal lobe epilepsies a sensation is frequently perceived in the stomach, such as a nausea that rises up to the throat and is associated with a tachycardia and a feeling of anxiety that can go as far as a real unmotivated fear.

Other times, however, it takes the form of a feeling of having already experienced the moment or of having dreamt it.

If, on the other hand, we find ourselves in the regions that control the body’s sensitivity, there may be an aura characterised by tingling, the impression of having a bigger or heavier arm, up to real pain.

Knowing how to recognise this is extremely important because it allows the person to prepare for the possible crisis that is coming and can provide indications as to the precise point at which the discharge originates.

On the other hand, however, auras are sometimes the initial stage of an epilepsy that will manifest itself long afterwards, and for this reason such peculiar symptoms can be misinterpreted as psychiatric, gastro-intestinal or ophthalmic illnesses, making diagnosis difficult.

Seizures In The Neonate: An Emergency That Needs To Be Addressed