Aura and seizures
Aura is the term used to describe symptoms that may occur before a seizure. An aura may include:
- Visual changes. Examples include:
- Bright lights.
- Zigzag lines.
- Slowly spreading spots.
- Distortions in the size or shape of objects.
- Blind or dark spots in the field of vision.
- Hearing voices or sounds (auditory hallucinations).
- Strange smells (olfactory hallucinations).
- Feelings of numbness or tingling on one side of the face or body.
- Feeling separated from one's body.
- Anxiety or fear.
- Nausea.
An aura is often the first sign that you are going to have a seizure. You may have an aura from several seconds up to 60 minutes before a seizure. Most people who have auras have the same type of aura every time they have a seizure.
Birth Control for Women With Epilepsy
If you are a woman who has epilepsy, there are some important things you should know before using birth control or planning a pregnancy. Any birth control that is safe for women in general, is safe for women with epilepsy. However, having epilepsy -- and some treatments for the condition -- can make some forms of birth control less effective. Also, since antiseizure medications for epilepsy can increase the risk of birth defects, it's important to plan pregnancy carefully.
Read the Birth Control for Women With Epilepsy article > >
| By | Healthwise Staff |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Steven L. Schneider, MD - Family Medicine |
| Last Revised | October 12, 2009 |
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