Migraine with aura: describing symptoms and recognising change

Aura can involve temporary visual or other neurological symptoms associated with migraine, but a new episode should not be self-diagnosed. Sudden weakness, speech difficulty, loss of vision or other concerning neurological symptoms needs urgent assessment. If aura has already been diagnosed, record the usual pattern and seek review when it changes.

The word aura needs a clinical explanation

People sometimes use aura to describe any feeling before a headache. A clinician needs a more precise account of what happened, such as a visual change, altered sensation or difficulty with speech. Some people experience aura with migraine, but not every unusual sensation is aura. Healthdirect's migraine information

If someone has previously diagnosed aura, bring the details of that assessment. Explain what they told you to expect and whether the current event matches it. A label in a medical record is helpful context; it is not a reason to overlook a new pattern.

Do not use this guide to rule out an emergency

New or sudden weakness, facial droop, speech difficulty, loss of vision, confusion or a sudden severe headache needs urgent assessment. Call 000 for symptoms suggesting a stroke or another emergency. Do not wait for a routine online appointment to decide whether the event was aura. Healthdirect's headache warning signs

This matters even if symptoms improve before you speak to someone. Tell the emergency or clinical service when they started and what happened. Do not drive yourself if your vision, awareness or ability to control a vehicle is affected. A familiar migraine history does not safely explain every new neurological event.

Describe the sequence rather than just the sensation

Write down what happened first, what followed and whether headache occurred before, during or afterwards. Estimate how long each part lasted. If you could not read, speak normally or see part of your surroundings, describe that in plain language rather than trying to select a technical term.

Mention whether the symptom affected one eye, part of your vision or something you are unsure about. It is acceptable not to know. Do not try to reproduce symptoms or delay urgent care to perform your own tests. An accurate account of uncertainty is more useful than an overconfident description copied from an article.

What if there was no headache?

Tell the clinician that clearly. Do not assume a visual or neurological event is harmless because head pain did not follow. The assessment still depends on the symptoms, timing, medical history and examination where needed. Healthdirect on migraine assessment

If similar events have happened before, describe whether they were assessed and how this one compares. Bring previous correspondence rather than relying on a memory that someone said it was probably migraine. The clinician decides whether the explanation remains appropriate or further assessment is needed.

Keep a useful record between episodes

Once urgent causes have been addressed and a diagnosis established, a brief event record can help review. Include date, sequence, approximate duration, headache symptoms, action taken and the effect on normal activities. Record what you observed without assigning a cause to every food, screen exposure or stressful event.

Ask the doctor which details matter most. A record should help identify a pattern, not make you monitor every ordinary sensation. If tracking increases anxiety, discuss a simpler approach. You can bring a short summary of the most representative episodes rather than an extensive diary.

Why contraception belongs in the discussion

Mention migraine with aura when discussing contraception. Some methods may be unsuitable depending on migraine history and other health factors, so the clinician needs the correct diagnosis and current information. Healthdirect's contraception options guidance

Do not change or stop a method without obtaining appropriate advice about the transition and pregnancy protection. If aura-like symptoms are new, seek assessment promptly and tell the clinician which method you use. The contraception review guide helps organise the broader conversation without assuming a particular method is appropriate.

Work, screens and driving

Describe exactly how episodes affect tasks. Temporary visual disturbance may make screen work, reading, driving or operating equipment unsafe. Discuss a practical plan for stopping an activity and getting help when symptoms occur. The plan should reflect your actual duties and the clinician's advice.

Do not rely on an employer or colleague to decide whether a new neurological symptom is safe to ignore. If documentation is needed for an established condition, ask what functional information would help the workplace and discuss it with the treating clinician. A certificate is separate from a clinical safety plan.

Review the whole migraine plan

Ask whether the current management addresses both the headache burden and the questions raised by aura. Bring details of medicines and other products used, including frequency, unwanted effects and previous responses. The doctor decides what treatment or referral is appropriate. Healthdirect's migraine management information

If symptoms have become more frequent or disruptive, explain that rather than requesting an automatic repeat. A review may consider whether the diagnosis, management approach or need for further assessment has changed. No consultation can guarantee that future episodes will stop.

What should a telehealth appointment achieve?

For a stable, previously assessed pattern, a remote review may help clarify the history and next steps. The doctor may still need an in-person examination or specialist input. Telehealth suitability is a clinical decision under the Medical Board's guidance.

Prepare your event notes, previous diagnosis, medicine list and questions. Make any new or concerning symptom clear at the beginning. If the clinician directs you to urgent care, follow that advice rather than treating the scheduled online review as a substitute.

An example of useful appointment notes

An effective note might say: “These episodes were assessed previously. The last one began while I was reading. I noticed a visual change, then a headache, and had to stop work. I am unsure whether its duration was different. I want to know what changes mean I should seek urgent help.”

This is an illustration of how to organise observations, not a description that confirms aura. Your own sequence may be very different. Add any new weakness, speech problem or visual loss and seek urgent care when appropriate rather than saving that information for a routine review.

Leave with a clear distinction between usual and urgent

Ask the clinician to explain the established pattern, the action plan for it and the changes that require urgent assessment. Write down who to contact if you are uncertain. If another clinician or specialist is involved, clarify who coordinates follow-up.

The most useful outcome is not simply having a name for an episode. It is knowing how to describe it, how to manage an established condition and when a new event needs a different level of care.

New neurological symptoms need care

Do not use this definition to diagnose a first episode. Sudden weakness, difficulty speaking, major visual change or other possible stroke symptoms require emergency assessment. Call 000 rather than waiting to see whether a headache follows. Familiarity with the word aura does not make an unfamiliar symptom safe.

If you already have a clinician-confirmed aura pattern, explain what is different about the current episode. Changes in duration, type of symptom or recovery may matter. Your usual history is useful context, not an exemption from reassessment. Healthdirect Australia: Migraine

Describe the sequence clearly

For a planned review, note what happens first, how the symptoms develop and whether headache follows. Describe what you actually see or feel rather than using only “aura”. A written sequence is often easier to interpret than a broad label.

Tell clinicians who prescribe other treatment that you have migraine with aura. Your wider medical history can affect which options are appropriate, including some contraception choices. Do not stop or change prescribed care on the basis of a glossary entry; ask the treating clinician for individual advice. Healthdirect Australia: The pill (combined oral contraceptive pill)

Discuss your next step with a doctor

Read about Doccio's migraine consultation and book an online doctor appointment for a suitable non-emergency concern. Bring the relevant history, records and questions from this guide. A doctor decides whether advice, treatment, a document, testing or in-person care is appropriate. Check current fees and service information before booking. If symptoms are urgent, use the appropriate urgent or emergency service instead of waiting for a routine appointment.