migraine without headache
Migraine Without Headache
It seems impossible doesn’t it, but having a migraine that does not progress on to a headache phase is definitely possible and is in fact, more common among men. Usually the most common circumstance leading to this diagnosis (migraine aura without headache – older term was acephalgic migraine) is the chronic period experience of visual distortions (or blindness) that cannot be explained through other means. Usually this condition occurs among people with a previous history of migraines or among those who have family members who experience migraines. Among older sufferers, it is always imperative to rule out other neurological causes of these symptoms as it could be evidence of a potentially life threatening condition.
Migraine is a neurological condition caused by abnormal neuron excitability in the brain. This neurological activity leads to the inflammation of blood vessels and tissue within the head, neck, and shoulders. The pain one experienced due to migraine is simply a symptom of the inflammation. It is important to remember that a migraine is not a headache but rather migraines can cause headaches, among other symptoms.
The Four Stages of Migraine
Pre-migraine, called the “prodome” phase. This phase can last from a few hours to a few days and is generally characterized by symptoms such as fatigue, difficulty concentrating, discomfort in the neck, light sensitivity, nausea, and blurred vision.
Aura phase – Not everyone experiences the symptoms of aura. Aura is a term used to reference a whole spectrum of neurological symptoms which precede the start of the headache phase of a migraine. Once the headache phase begins, the aura symptoms disappear. Each aura symptom must develop over five to twenty minutes and then last for no longer than sixty minutes.
Common symptoms of aura include visual disturbances like flashing lights, blurred vision, seeing zig zags or spots, blindness in one eye. Sometimes people will hear or smell hings that are not there. Hearing can become distorted as though one is hearing sounds from a distance. Some people will experience sensory symptoms like numbness, or tingling. Nausea and other digestive problems are also very common. Lastly, some people will experience frightening symptoms like loss of consciousness, partial paralysis or limb weakness, or seizures.
Headache phase – Not every person will develop a headache phase. Those that do usually have symptoms of pain that last from hours to days.
Post-migraine, called the postdrome phase. This stage is usually described as leaving the sufferer exhausted and hung-over in feeling. This phase can last from hours to days.
If you are experiencing the symptoms of aura but not headache this may be normal. However, as many symptoms of aura are neurological in origin it is always important to have the symptoms examined by a qualified medical professional as this could be symptoms of another serious condition.
Other Possible Migraine without Headache Conditions Includes:
Persistent Aura without Infarction
Persistent Aura without Infarction essentially refers to the condition of having long lasting aura symptoms without any sign of cause, such as brain cell damage due to loss of blood flow. The diagnostic criteria for this condition requires that the aura symptoms must last for at least one week and not be attributed to any other cause. This condition is thankfully rare but for those affected, aura symptoms can last for months or years.
Migrainous Infarction
The same as Persistent Aura Without Infarction except medical imaging reveals that there is brain damage in the area of the brain that is responsible for producing the aura symptom. This diagnostic criteria for Migrainous Infarction is any Migraine with Aura where the symptoms last more than 60 min and neuroimaging reveals cell death in the relevant area, and any other possible cause has been rules out.
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