You Can Have a Migraine Without a Headache
Laurie Saloman
Reviewed by QualityHealth's Medical Advisory Board
You Can Have a Migraine Without a Headache
For most people, a migraine is a very painful experience. More intense than a headache, a migraine can cause throbbing and pounding so severe that some sufferers are incapacitated. But for a small percentage of migraine sufferers, usually those in midlife or older, the pain never comes. Instead, they experience the visual disturbances that often precede a migraine, minus the discomfort. What exactly is happening, and why is it problematic?
Migraine and Aura
First of all, it’s helpful to understand the typical migraine experience. About 15 to 20 percent of migraine sufferers experience migraine with aura: Roughly 15 minutes to an hour before a headache begins, these patients may develop blurry vision, see zigzag lines or spots of light, or experience partial vision loss. These visual disturbances are known as aura. Aura also may take the form of sensory disturbances such as tingling or numbness in parts of the body. Once the aura passes, the debilitating headache begins.
https://www.qualityhealth.com/headaches-migraines-articles/you-migraine-without-headache
