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Migraine without aura are also known as the Common Migraine. These migraines are more prevalent than the Classic Migraine type and about 80% of patients who have migraines, have migraine without aura.
Migraines are recurrent, self-limited headaches. According to the International Classification of Headache Disorders, Edition 2 {Cephalgia 2004;24 (Suppl 1)} (for ages 16 and above) patients must fulfill the following criteria to be diagnosed with Common Migraine:
A. At least 5 attacks fulfilling B, C and D
B. Untreated or unsuccessfully treated headache attacks lasting 4-72 hours
C. Headaches that have at least two of the following characteristics:
- Unilateral (one-sided) location
- Pulsating or throbbing quality (like a heart beat)
- Moderate or severe intensity (moderate is generally defined as inhibiting daily activities and severe is defined as prohibiting daily activities.)
- Aggravation by physical activity such as walking stairs or similar routine
D. During the headache at least one of the following occurs:
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Photophobia (lights seem unusually bright) and phonophobia (sounds seem unusually loud)
E. No other diagnosis to explain the headache.
The purpose of the criteria is to make sure someone with a different disease is not improperly diagnosed with migraine. This is why 5 headaches are required to make the diagnosis of migraine headache.
If you do not meet the criteria for common migraine or classic migraine, also read the criteria for probable migraine. If you met the criteria for one of these types of headaches then the entire migraine section applies equally to you. If you do not meet the criteria for common, classic or probable migraine, visit the headache overview page, which gives a general overview of various types of headaches.