Migraines are debilitating headaches that certain people are predisposed to, however it is possible to have a migraine without a headache. Normal headaches associated with migraines are often localized to a particular portion of the head, called a unilateral pain, and can last from four to seventy-two hours. Sometimes migraines can be so severe that they cause vomiting, nausea and sensitivity to light and sound. An aura, visual distortions of objects and light, can also be present in migraine sufferers.

Migraines are known to occur without any localized pain. These headache-free migraines can go undetected for years as the person experiencing them are often unaware that a migraine is currently afflicted them. How is this possible? Pain is the main symptom of a migraine and is present in practically all occurrences of a migraine. Experiencing a migraine without pain often leads to misdiagnosis by doctors and misunderstanding by patients.

If there is no pain, then what are symptoms of a migraine without headache? Most symptoms aside from pain still are exhibited by migraines without a headache. Again, these include nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light and sound. The sudden onset of these symptoms are often the best indication that a painless migraine is currently in progress.

Nevertheless, the biggest indication that a pain free migraine is occurring is the visual distortions associated with an aura. Often referred to as an ocular migraine, the presence of an aura is the best way to identify a pain less migraine.

These visual distortions brought on by an aura can be classified into roughly four times. The first variety is a bending and warping of visual details. Typically straight lines and angles will bend and curve, causing zigzag patterns to appear on a flat or smooth surface. The second form of visual distortion is negative scotoma. This is where details of objects become muddled or lost. For instance, areas of objects may appear featureless or become blurry due to this visual distortion from a pain less migraine. The third type of distortion is the opposite of the second, called positive scotoma. This is where details become crisper and sharper, almost like life turned into an HD television channel. The fourth and final category of migraine related visual distortions is a lack of perception in one eye. Commonly the range of vision narrows and a loss of peripheral vision occurs.

Detecting the presence of an aura is the best way to diagnose a headache free migraine but the sudden onset of photophobia or phonophobia, sensitivity to light and sound, is sufficient enough cause to consult a medical professional due to the disruptive influence these symptoms can have.

While doctors have a better understanding of headache free migraines, it is still unclear why these migraines occur. Indeed, migraines in general are not clearly understood and there are a range of reasons, such as a swelling of arteries in the brain to inherited genetics, to explain why this condition occurs.

There is no cure for migraines, whether with or without headaches, but treatment options are available. Certain medications can be prescribed that reduce the onset of migraines, which are typically caused by specific triggers like lack of nourishment or certain environmental conditions. Surgery for correcting this condition, including migraines without headaches, is also being pioneered but is still in experimental stages.