On Sunday, June 13, 2011, CBS news correspondent Serene Branson became suddenly incomprehensible on air. She was supposed to be reporting on the recent winners at the Grammys but when the camera turned to her and she started speaking, her words came out garbled. Branson later reported in an interview with Fox News that "I started to think, the words on the page are blurry and I could notice that my thoughts were not forming the way they normally do."
"As soon as I opened my mouth," she said, "I knew something was wrong."
Although initial reports indicated that she was suffering from a stroke, aphasia or a transient ischemic attack (TIA), Dr. Andrew Charles, director of UCLA's Headache Research and Treatment Program examined the reporter immediately following the episode, and determined that all of her symptoms were the results of a "migraine aura". A "migraine aura" mimics the symptoms of both aphasia and a stroke, all symptoms can include a sudden numbness in the face, arm or leg on one side of the body, confusion and trouble speaking or understanding, as well as trouble seeing and dizziness.
Since that incident on the 13th, Branson has appeared on Friday's CBS "Early Show". In the first TV interview she's given since the Grammys broadcast, she shared with the audience that prior to the telecast, "I hadn't been feeling well a little bit before the live shot. I had a headache, my vision was very blurry. I knew something wasn't right, but I just thought I was tired. So when I opened my mouth, I thought, 'This is more than just being tired. Something is terribly wrong.' I wanted to say, 'Lady Antebellum swept the Grammys.' And I could think of the words, but I could not get them coming out properly."
According to the Mayo Clinic, "Migraine with aura" is a relatively new name for a less common type of migraine headache. "Scientists aren't sure what causes migraines with aura. It's thought that at least two brain chemicals -- serotonin and dopamine -- play a role. According to the theory, something goes awry in the way these chemicals regulate brain function. This may cause the brain and the body's immune system to overreact. When this happens, a flood of immune response cells flows through the blood vessels to the brain. The brain's blood vessels open wider to accommodate these cells. Even more chemicals are released to help control the vessels' muscles. The vessels open and constrict.
"A migraine with aura comes with additional symptoms, which often begin about 30 minutes or less before the headache. These early symptoms are called a prodrome. The prodrome or aura may last from five to 20 minutes, or it may continue even after the headache subsides."
Symptoms of aura
- blind spots or scotomas
- blindness in half of your visual field in one or both eyes (hemianopsia)
- seeing zigzag patterns (fortification)
- seeing flashing lights (scintilla)
- feeling prickling skin (paresthesia)
- weakness
- seeing things that aren't really there (hallucinations)
TreatmentsYour doctor may recommend these actions to help relieve symptoms when a migraine with aura occurs:
- Stay in a quiet, dark room.
- Place cold compresses or use pressure on the painful areas.
- Take pain-relieving medications such as aspirin, Tylenol (acetaminophen), or Tylenol #3 (Tylenol with codeine)
- Use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication (call NSAIDS) to ease pain, such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or Toradol (ketorolac).
- Take prescription medications, such as Imitrex or Maxalt, that help constrict or tighten blood vessels.
- Take prescription analgesics to relieve pain and encourage sleep.
- Use drugs to treat related symptoms such as nausea and vomiting.
What has been recommended is that if you are having any of the above mentioned symptoms and feel you are having a migraine aura or other another neurological emergency you should call your health practitioner or neurologist.
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