Aura (epilepsy)
In neurology, the term aura refers to sensory perceptions of the most varied types as well as affects that in some people announce an epileptic seizure that will arrive shortly afterwards . The name aura comes from the Greek language and means something like "gust of wind", "breath of wind". Accompanying symptoms of migraines are also referred to as an aura (see migraine aura ).
The aura is to be seen as the beginning phase of the seizure itself. It must be distinguished from the term prodromi , which can occur hours or days in advance and are usually associated with restlessness on the part of those affected.
Some of the people with epilepsy regularly experience such an aura shortly before an attack. Those affected usually know the corresponding sensations and can sometimes lie down on the floor in good time or give those present a sign. Like the patient himself, dogs can also recognize this aura, see epilepsy dog .
Symptoms
Typical aura sensations are:
- Feelings of euphoria , joy, or anger
- So-called déjà-vu or jamais-vu experiences
- Events are experienced in slow motion
- Sudden abrupt change of mood into deep depression
- Feelings of alienation ( derealization or depersonalization )
- Optical, acoustic or olfactory (smell) hallucinations can occur
- Physical abnormal sensations, "tingling" ( paresthesia ), heat perception, nausea
- Gust of wind, breath of wind, similar to flashes
Examples of auras are the so-called epigastric or visceral aura, an ascent of indefinite unpleasant feelings from the epigastric region, as the most common aura in temporal lobe epilepsy, "numbness, tingling or pinpricks" as aura in parietal epilepsy, or "visual hallinous epilepsy " in occipital lobe epilepsy (Occipital lobe epilepsy). Other examples of an aura can include difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness and not being able to perceive the environment properly.
In addition, vegetative signs such as a change in heart rate are also observed.
Trivia
Fyodor Michailowitsch Dostojewski , who was himself an epileptic, has the epileptic Smerdjakov use the prediction of a seizure through the appropriate aura in his novel The Brothers Karamasov to obtain an alibi for the murder of his father.
