A patient visited my migraine relief clinic near Farmington one day and wanted to get help for her silent migraines. Silent migraines are quite rare. Common migraines afflict up to 12% of people, while silent migraines only affect 3-5% of the population. One factor for its rarity is the difficulty in diagnosing it. But like any other migraine types, silent migraines are a severe and debilitating condition.
If you suffer from silent migraines, here are some important facts you should know about your condition. I’ll also share with you a natural way that can help you break away from the grip of migraines.
Some types of migraines do not involve a headache, one being silent migraines. This is true as migraines are a neurological condition and beyond just severe headaches. It includes many other symptoms. In silent migraines, someone has a migraine that starts with aura but doesn’t experience a headache. It is also known as migraines dissocie.
Migraines commonly have four phases:
This occurs up to 24 hours before a migraine hits. It serves as a warning that a migraine is about to happen.
This mainly consists of visual symptoms; they begin 20-30 before a migraine attack. They can also be sensory.
This is the headache stage that many people often associate with migraines.
This is also known as “migraine hangover.” Some symptoms follow a migraine for up to 24 hours.
It is important to note that not every migraine involves all four phases. Therefore, not every patient goes through all these stages. Based on statistics, only around 20-25% of migraine patients experience the aura phase. On the other hand, about 85-90% of migraines include the pain or headache phase. That’s a huge number; no wonder it can be confusing when this phase is missing.
To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and migraines, download our complimentary e-book by clicking the image below.
You may wonder, “What are the symptoms of a silent migraine if there is no headache phase?” Aura is one of its most common symptoms.
During an aura, someone with a silent migraine may see flashing lights, spots, wavy lines, or experience tunnel vision. Besides visual disturbances, sensory issues may also occur, such as numbness and tingling. Hearing and speech problems can also be present.
Aura is not the only sign of silent migraines. They may also involve fatigue, nausea, vomiting, irritability, diarrhea, and chills. Considering all these symptoms, we can see that migraines can be just as bad without the headache.
Everything from bright lights to strong smells and a sudden change in the weather can result in a migraine attack. People with silent migraines and common migraines share the same triggers. It is important to detect your migraine triggers and avoid them to steer clear of migraine episodes.
Off-label use refers to the prescription of medications for use beyond the approved indications. Some doctors prescribe anti-seizure medications for migraine patients as they are reported to reduce episodes in some patients. Keep in mind, however, that off-label drugs have different effects on every person. Some patients may respond positively to it and have fewer migraines, while others may just receive the side effects with no real benefits. These medications are not for this use, so the results are varied.
The exact cause of migraines remains unclear. However, researchers say it may have something to do with the lack of blood reaching the cerebral cortex. Because of this, many doctors categorize migraines as neurovascular, meaning a combination of changes in both the nervous and vascular systems may cause the condition. This theory is highly possible, especially in patients dealing with migraines with aura.
As I have mentioned, there appears to be a connection between silent migraines and the blood flow to the brain. The upper cervical spine facilitates the proper blood flow to the brain. The vertebrae in the neck have small loops of bone called vertebral foramen. These give room for the vertebral arteries to flow through on their path to the brain. Sadly, this means that a misalignment can hinder that smooth flow of blood. Numerous migraine and headache patients have reported upper cervical subluxation in their spine.
Many migraine patients have a history of neck or head injury, the very likely cause of their misalignment. In many case studies, migraine episodes of patients became fewer and less severe after the correction of their upper cervical misalignment. Some even experience complete remission of their migraines.
If you suffer from chronic migraines and have had an injury in the neck or head, you may also be a good candidate for upper cervical chiropractic care. This niche within the chiropractic field focuses on the two uppermost bones of the neck where the brainstem meets the spinal cord. These bones, the C1 and C2 vertebrae, can influence the nervous and vascular systems of the body when misalignment is present. That’s why it makes perfect sense to find migraine relief clinic near Farmington, MI and know the health of your C1 and C2 vertebrae.
Premier Family Wellness and Spinal Care in Farmington, Michigan, can identify even the slightest misalignments in your upper neck. I use diagnostic imaging and scientific measurements to carry out this unique process. Request an appointment with me or call 248-478-6203 to learn more.
To schedule a consultation with Dr. Perkins, call 248-780-8864 or just click the button below area
If you are outside of the local area you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.
Dr. Perkins grew up in Novi, Michigan and attended Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa. He received his Doctorate Magna Cum Laude with a focus on Upper Cervical Chiropractic care. Chris is well known in the community for his public speaking and holds a number of professional certifications. We are proud to say that Dr. Perkins and Perkins Family Wellness has been recognized by Hour Magazine as one of the Top Chiropractors in Metro Detroit for 3 years in row.
