Silent Migraine: Understanding Symptoms, Causes & Phases

Silent migraines causes confusion in the medical community, because they come without the pain of a headache. Instead, they usually come with a host of other symptoms, including eye disturbances. Unfortunately with silent migraines, the symptoms are unpredictable. There are four main phases of silent migraines.

Prodrome

• The prodrome is the precursor to a migraine. You may experience a change in mood (i.e. irritability), confusion, thirst or diarrhea.

Aura

• Many silent migraines are accompanied by visual disturbances, such as auras, wavy lines, spots, hallucinations or flashing lights.

Pain

• Silent migraines are not typically associated with head pain. Sometimes localized pain on one side of the head can be experienced, as well as nausea and vomiting.

Aftermath

• Silent migraines can last for up to seventy-two hours. Once they are over, many sufferers experience fatigue.

Physical Symptoms

• Physical symptoms of silent migraines include flu-like symptoms (fever and vomiting), joint pain, slurred speech, itching and rashes, loss of appetite, increased urination, fatigue or numbness in the body.

Other Symptoms

• People may also experience speech difficulties, smell or taste disturbances, a feeling of numbness, or the sensation of the hands or legs going to sleep.