If you suffer with migraines you have probably heard of both of these terms. Years ago both were assumed by many who treat migraine to be one and the same thing. If you were to ask those who suffer with both prodrome and aura however they could easily tell you the two stages are very different.
In 1980 a researcher (Blau) differentiated and defined both terms. Aura generally comes on very suddenly, lasts minutes and often affects vision. Less frequently, speech or feeling/sensation will be affected. Prodromes on the other hand can last for hours and feature as food cravings, extreme highs or lows in energy levels and there are often changes in mood. Hope that clears up the confusion!