A “silent” migraine is not painful, but it can always be exhausted. Here’s how to recognize and treat it
Let’s play a little word association game: when I say “migraine”, you say …? If words such as “pain”, “headache” and “launcher”, come to mind, it makes sense – after all, migraines are commonly known to cause pulsating, beating and often disabling pain.
But not all migraines are created equal. In fact, some do not imply any hammering or painful. Instead, they are characterized by symptoms such as visual, sensory or speech and language disturbances.
This is called a silent migraine or, medically speaking, an aura of migraine without any mind.
Here, discover this type of condition, including current silent migraine symptoms and treatment options.
What is a silent migraine, exactly?
The medically precise term for a silent migraine is a “aura migraine without headache”, Laura R. Natbony, MD, Fahs, member of the American Headache Society and founder and medical director of integrative New York headache, said Livestrong.com. “This means that there are changes in vision, sensory, speech and / or engine not accompanied by head pain.”
An aura is better defined as a recurring attack which presents temporary sensory disorders, such as seeing points or stains, having difficulty hearing or speaking clearly and living tinnitus or dizziness, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Generally, this type of attack precedes the start of a migraine, but a silent migraine completely jumps the pain phase.
Like all migraines, the exact cause of a silent migraine is not fully understood. However, some research suggests that the condition may be due to an electric wave (that is to say pulling neurons) which moves through the visual cortex in your brain, thus causing visual changes, according to the National Library of Medicine (NLM).
What are the triggers of silent migraines?
What is better known, however, are the triggers of silent migraines. These are similar to those of migraine headaches, says Dr. Natbony, in particular:
- Stress
- Weather changes
- Hormonal fluctuations
- Change in your daily routine
- Lively lights
- Certain foods or medications
- Sleep disturbances
“It is believed that the trigger triggers a chain reaction into the brain leading to the release of inflammatory substances, which could cause too much nerve cell,” adds Dr. Natbony. “It could lead to a migraine aura without a lot of head.”
Silent migraine symptoms
The most obvious silent migraine symptom is undoubtedly an aura. This attack is “most often visual and results in lights, spots, models or losses of vision”, explains Teshamae Monteith, MD, Fahs, member of the American Headache Society and head of the headache to the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.
The other symptoms include the following elements, Dr. Monteith says:
- Speech or language disorders
- Weakness
- Numbness
- Vertigo
- Imbalance
Other symptoms of the condition are the same as those associated with a typical migraine (that is to say a with a headache), by Mont Sinai, including:
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Light sensitivity
They generally occur at different stages during an episode.
How long does a silent migraine last?
The duration of a silent migraine depends on the person. For some, a silent migraine can be as short as a few hours, while for others, it can last days, according to the Brain Center.
In general, a migraine can be divided into four phases:
- Prodrome (alias the warning)
- Will have
- Headache
- Postdrome (or Post-Masse)
But not everyone will progress in the four phases, says Dr. Natbony.
The headache phase, for example, can be ignored in those who have silent migraines. The phases are as follows, according to Dr. Natbony:
1. Prodrome
Essentially, the warning of an imminent episode, this phase occurs a day or two before the appearance of an aura and generally implies symptoms such as food desires, mood changes, exhaustion and increased thirst, among others, according to the NLM.
2. Aura
The duration of this step often varies from 5 to 60 minutes, 20 minutes being the most typical length, says Dr. Monteith. “But, in some cases, it can be persistent and last days for weeks.”
3. Headache
This phase is generally ignored during a silent migraine attack. But it is generally when you feel the most pain and in a specific part of your head (like one side of your head, for example).
4. Postdrome
This phase can last hours for days and is often characterized by fatigue, irritability, brain fog, mood changes and a global sensation of “Bla”, says Dr. Natbony.
She also notes that those who experience migraine auras without a lot of head can or may not feel a postdrome.
Silent treatments of migraine
Most migraine treatments focus on pain relief, but because a silent migraine is characterized by an aura – not pain – treatment is not all available.
Once an aura begins, pain relievers can help prevent the painhad of headache, but that will generally stop the aura itself, says Dr. Natbony. (And there is no reason or advantage in taking pain relievers if you generally do not feel the part of the headache of a migraine.)
That being said, there are a few different avenues that obtain silent migraines can consider according to certain factors, such as the frequency and gravity of their episodes.
1. Magnesium oxide supplements
Although there are not many drugs specifically tested for this type of migraine, some studies have found that certain supplements – such as magnesium supplements – are effective in treating silent migraines, according to a March 2022 review Nutrients.
“Magnesium plays a vital role in energy production, muscular and nervous function and can play a role in the depression of cortical propagation, which is the underlying mechanism of migraine aura,” said Dr. Natbony.
“It is a good option for most people, because it is well tolerated and effective when used in a coherent way (although it is at least three months of daily use to see advantages),” she adds.
So how much should you take? The recommended daily dose is 400 to 600 milligrams per day, according to American Migraine Foundation. And the recommended shape is magnesium oxide – other forms, such as magnesium chloride, are not well absorbed and do not work in the same way as magnesium oxide, so make sure to search for this specific ingredient on the label. Magnesium oxide can be found in the following product:
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