A migraine without Aura was formerly known as a Common Migraine and Hemicrania Simplex. It is a frequent headache attack which last from 4 to 72 hours. It’s more than just a headache which stops you from carrying out your daily activities.Common characteristics of a headache are one-sided throbbing, Moderate or severe intensity, Nausea or may be vomiting, Increased sensitivity to light, Increased sensitivity to sound.
Doctors aren’t sure about what causes migraines. However, the theory goes like this that two brain chemicals called Serotonin and Dopamine play an important role. The way these chemicals regulate the brain function causes the brain and the body’s immune system to overreact. When that happens a flood of immune response cells flows through the blood vessels to the brain. The brain’s blood vessels open wider to accommodate these cells. The vessels open and constrict and a severe or throbbing headache results. It is known that migraines often run in families. For some migraine headache attacks start at the childhood and continue to adolescence.
Key points
- Distinguishing between a migraine without aura and tension-type headache is difficult. Hence, people with 5 headache attacks are known to have a migraine without aura, people with less than 5 attacks should be categorized as a normal headache
- During a migraine when a person falls asleep and wakes up without any pain, the time duration is estimated when he wakes up
- In children, the migraines attacks may last up to 2-72 hours
- Migraine a headache is on both sides(Bilateral) of head in children and in adults, it is one-sided (Unilateral)
- If a migraine attack occurs in less than 15 days in a month then it is coded as a migraine without aura
- In children, the sensitivity to light and sound can be determined from their behavior
- A migraine without aura is the commonest type of a migraine
- A migraine most prone to accelerate with frequent use of Symptomatic medication
Treatment
- There is no particular treatment for a migraine. The aim is to control the symptoms and avoid future attacks
- To decrease the severity of symptoms drink fluids to avert dehydration, take rest in a quiet dark room
- Through medications, you may get relieve the symptoms but over the period of time if these medications are ineffective then talk to your doctor about other options
- Medicines that prevent migraines include Propranolol, Amitriptyline, Ergonovine, Cyproheptadine, Clonidine, Valproic acid, Topiramate(Topamax), Methysergide
- Triptans can relieve a migraine as soon as it starts and is available in the form of pills and injections.