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This is the case with the terms "acephalgic Migraine" and "silent Migraine." In this case, the two terms are generally accepted to mean a Migraine attack without a headache. Any type of Migraine can be acephalgic. There are four potential phases of a Migraine attack (for a description of the four phases, see Anatomy of a Migraine):
Not all Migraineurs experience all four phases, and one Migraine attack can be different from the next. Simply put, an acephalgic Migraine skips the headache phase. Any type of Migraine can be acephalgic. Diagnosis:
There is no diagnostic test to confirm Migraine disease. Diagnosis is achieved by reviewing both family and patient medical history, evaluating the symptoms, and performing an examination to rule out other causes of the symptoms. If there is any alteration in consciousness, seizure disorders should also be ruled out. Treatment: For infrequent Migraine attacks, even without the headache phase, medications used for other forms of Migraine are often employed to relieve the other symptoms. These medications can include NSAIDs, antinausea medications, Midrin, ergotamines the triptans. The choice of medications is somewhat affected by the age of the patient. When Migraines are frequent, the same preventive therapies used for other Migraines can be explored. For more information:
Published July 13, 2006
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One
of the difficulties encountered at times when discussing Migraines occurs when a
Migraineur is given a diagnosis that isn't actually accurate in diagnostic
terms, but is really a descriptive term. Such terms may be used fairly
frequently, but they fall short of a diagnosis and may also be used differently
from one doctor to another. That's one reason why most doctors diagnose based in
the International Headache Society's International Classification of Headache
Disorders, 2nd Edition (ICHD-II). A "standard" diagnosis also makes
communications and transitions easier when patients need to consult other
doctors or change doctors.
