How long do migraine without aura attacks typically last?

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Multiple Choice

How long do migraine without aura attacks typically last?

Migraine without aura is defined, in diagnostic criteria, by attacks that last between four hours and seventy-two hours. This duration range is used to distinguish a true migraine episode from shorter headaches and from prolonged, atypical headaches. That’s why the best answer is the 4–72 hour window. In practice, most migraines fall somewhere within that span, though some may resolve sooner with treatment and a few can extend beyond 72 hours (status migrainosus) requiring different management. Attacks lasting less than four hours generally don’t meet the classic migraine without aura criteria and could represent another type of headache or a probable migraine variant.

Migraine without aura is defined, in diagnostic criteria, by attacks that last between four hours and seventy-two hours. This duration range is used to distinguish a true migraine episode from shorter headaches and from prolonged, atypical headaches. That’s why the best answer is the 4–72 hour window.

In practice, most migraines fall somewhere within that span, though some may resolve sooner with treatment and a few can extend beyond 72 hours (status migrainosus) requiring different management. Attacks lasting less than four hours generally don’t meet the classic migraine without aura criteria and could represent another type of headache or a probable migraine variant.

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