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Signs & Symptoms of a Silent Migraine Headache

Many people recognize the symptoms of a migraine as severe head pain that can be debilitating. These headaches may or may not be preceded by an aura, which are the other symptoms that accompany a migraine attack. Auras are most often visual disturbances that cause flashes of light, zigzags or blind spots, and can be frightening. A silent migraine is the occurrence of the aura without the accompanying headache.

  1. Light Flashes

    • The flashes of light experienced with a migraine come in waves or zigzag patterns. Unlike floaters or flashes experienced due to eye disorders, migraine flashes are colorful and may have shapes. The flashes can last for a few minutes or longer. Migraines can vary greatly, and it is difficult to predict when symptoms will stop.

    Blind Spots

    • Some sufferers of migraines also experience temporary blind spots with flashes of light. These blind spots can affect one or both eyes, and can be debilitating. In some cases, only peripheral vision is lost during a migraine attack.

    Slurred Speech

    • Patients who experience slurred speech may also feel confusion and difficulty finding the right words. This symptom of migraine may also point to other medical conditions responsible for the slurred speech and confusion. If you experience these symptoms, see a doctor to diagnose a migraine or rule out other conditions.

    Numbness

    • Numbness occurs in various locations with a migraine. Some patients experience numbness on the face; others feel tingling and numbness in their limbs.

    Ringing in the Ears

    • Auditory auras also occur with migraine attacks. Ringing in the ears or hearing noises that are not there occur with some cases of migraines.

    Nausea

    • Nausea and abdominal upset are not uncommon with a migraine attack. This aura occurs with other symptoms before a headache in some migraines, but may occur on its own with a silent migraine.

    Vomiting

    • Severe cases of nausea from a migraine may cause vomiting in some patients. If you experience the headache with a migraine, you may experience nausea and vomiting during the headache phase of a migraine attack.

    Sensitivity to Light

    • Patients with migraines are also sensitive to bright lights with and without the headache. A darkened room is usually the best place to recover from a migraine attack.

    Sensitivity to Sound

    • Loud noises may be intolerable during silent migraines. According to the Mayo Clinic, loud noises may be a trigger for migraine attacks.

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