Migraine Aura Without a Headache: Care Instructions

Overview

A migraine aura without a headache is a type of migraine. When you have an aura, you may see spots, wavy lines, or flashing lights. Your hands, arms, or face may tingle or feel numb. But unlike other migraines, a headache doesn't follow the aura.

Some people have both types of migraines. Although they sometimes have an aura without the headache, at other times they may get a headache after an aura.

Without treatment, migraines can last from 4 hours to a few days. Medicines can help prevent migraines or stop them once they have started. Your doctor can help you find which ones work best for you.

How can you care for yourself at home?

• Do not drive if you have taken a prescription pain medicine.
• Rest in a quiet, dark room until your aura or headache is gone. Close your eyes. Try to relax or go to sleep. Don't watch TV or read.
• If you get a headache, put a cold, moist cloth or cold pack on the painful area for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Put a thin cloth between the cold pack and your skin.
• Use a warm, moist towel or a heating pad set on low. This can relax tight shoulder and neck muscles.
• Have someone gently massage your neck and shoulders.
• Be safe with medicines. Take your medicines exactly as prescribed. Call your doctor if you think you are having a problem with your medicine. You will get more details on the specific medicines your doctor prescribes.
• Don't take medicine for headache pain too often. Talk to your doctor if you are taking medicine more than 2 days a week to stop a headache. Taking too much pain medicine can lead to more headaches. These are called medicine-overuse headaches.

To prevent migraines

• Keep a diary so you can figure out what triggers your auras or headaches. Avoiding triggers may help you prevent migraines. Record when each aura or headache began, how long it lasted, and what the symptoms were like. Write down any other symptoms you had with the aura. These may include nausea or sensitivity to bright light or loud noise. Note if the aura or headache occurred near your period. List anything that might have triggered the aura. Triggers may include certain foods (chocolate, cheese, wine) or odors, smoke, bright light, stress, or lack of sleep.
• If your doctor has prescribed medicine for your migraines, take it as directed. You may have medicine that you take only when you get a migraine and medicine that you take all the time to help prevent migraines.
  • If your doctor has prescribed medicine for when you get migraines, take it at the first sign of an aura, unless your doctor has given you other instructions.
  • If your doctor has prescribed medicine to prevent migraines, take it exactly as prescribed. Call your doctor if you think you are having a problem with your medicine.
• Find healthy ways to deal with stress. Migraines are most common during or right after stressful times. Try finding ways to reduce stress like practicing mindfulness or deep breathing exercises.
• Get plenty of sleep and exercise. But be careful to not push yourself too hard during exercise. It may trigger a headache.
• Eat regular meals, and avoid foods and drinks that often trigger migraines. These include chocolate and alcohol, especially red wine and port. Chemicals used in food, such as aspartame and monosodium glutamate (MSG), also can trigger migraines. So can some food additives, such as those found in hot dogs, bacon, cold cuts, aged cheeses, and pickled foods.
• Limit caffeine by not drinking too much coffee, tea, or soda. But don't quit caffeine suddenly, because that can also give you migraines.
• Do not smoke or allow others to smoke around you. If you need help quitting, talk to your doctor about stop-smoking programs and medicines. These can increase your chances of quitting for good.
• If you are taking birth control pills or hormone therapy, talk to your doctor about whether they are triggering your migraines.