Aura and Seizures

Topic Overview

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 your face or body.
• Feeling separated from your 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.