A migraine is a disorder that generally involves a severe headache. A silent migraine is an unusual type of migraine in that it does not include a headache. The symptoms of a silent migraine generally include one or all of the symptoms associated with a regular migraine, but the main difference is that a silent migraine is not accompanied by any pain. This type of migraine is also known as a non-headache migraine aura, a migraine equivalent, or an accephalgic migraine.
Although migraines can be quite unpredictable, there are some symptoms that can be typical for this condition, and silent migraines are no different. Migraines generally present in four different phases: prodrome, aura, pain, and resolution. A silent migraine can have many symptoms of a typical migraine, including prodrome, aura, and postdrome symptoms, but there is no pain.
The prodrome phase most often occurs at the beginning of a migraine. This phase is often considered a warning before a migraine. It can be accompanied by changes in a person's mental state, such as confusion or irritability, as well as physical symptoms. Physical symptoms can include extreme thirst, loss of appetite, chills, or fatigue. About a quarter of all migraine sufferers experience at least some type of prodrome symptoms.
Migraine aura is a term used to describe a number of different sensory symptoms that accompany migraines. Difficulty speaking, numbness, auditory hallucinations, and strange tastes or smells can be part of this phase. Aura, however, is best known for its visual symptoms. Blurred vision, wavy lines, flashing lights, tunnel vision, and spotting are common symptoms of the aura phase of a migraine. A silent migraine usually consists of some type of aura symptoms, especially visual disturbances.
Pain is the best known symptom of a migraine. This pain can be very intense at times and last from a couple of hours to a few days. It is often located behind the eye or on the side of the head. The pain can sometimes be accompanied by nausea or vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. This is where a silent migraine differs from a typical migraine. It is estimated that around twenty percent of migraine sufferers do not experience this pain.
The postdrome phase, or headache phase, occurs after any migraine pain has subsided. These symptoms can include extreme fatigue, confusion, trouble concentrating, or depression. Recovery from a migraine can take anywhere from a few hours to a whole day.
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