|  | Conditions Treatments | Migraines

Acephalgic Migraines

Acephalic migraines are also known as silent migraines, migraine equivalent, opthalmic migraines or migraine aura without headache. The patient gets many other symptoms associated with migraines except for head pain.

  1. Main Symptoms

    • Patients get a migraine aura, which may include a visual disturbance such as blind spots, flashes or light or blurred vision. This can happen in one or both eyes, according to the National Headache Foundation.

    Other Symptoms

    • Individuals with acephalgic migraine may also experience diarrhea, dizziness, nausea, chills, strange food cravings, sudden confusion or sudden euphoria, according to Web MD.

    Time Frame

    • Migraine auras generally last under one hour, according to the National Headache Foundation. But other symptoms can last for up to 72 hours, according to "Migraine For Dummies."

    Diagnosis

    • Because the main symptoms are located in the eyes, the patients needs to have their eyes checked for illnesses like glaucoma or neuritis, an inflammation of the eye nerve. If they are ruled out, then the silent migraine is treated with migraine medications.

    Expert Advice

    • Many types of migraines, such as silent migraines, are triggered by certain foods or events such as lack of sleep. By keeping a migraine journal, the patient can identify triggers and try to avoid them, according to WebMD.

Migraines - Related Articles