Migraines are considered as one of the most common neurological disorders. When it comes to migraines, many consider it as a terrible headache and usually aggravated by light or noise. In some circumstances, there are unusual patterns that appear in front of the eyes or unusual sensations of tingling or numbness. In addition, migraine can also cause other types of neurological issues including dizziness.
How vestibular migraine is diagnosed
When it comes to vestibular migraine, it simply means dizziness that occurs due to the migraine phenomena. In order to come up with this diagnosis, an individual should have occasional symptoms indicative of balance issues that oftentimes, but not necessarily always occur with other migraine-like symptoms such as a throbbing headache within a few hours. Take note that there should be no other causes of dizziness present. The episodes of dizziness experienced by the individual can range for a few seconds up to a day.
It is important to note that this condition typically occurs among individuals with an established history of migraines. Just like with other forms of migraines, vestibular migraine is quite common in women than men.
Possible related disorders
Basilar migraine is a related type of migraine that can also cause vertigo, but tends to resolve by early adulthood. Many experts question whether this migraine should be considered as a separate syndrome from vestibular migraine.
Meniere’s disease involves the inner ear that causes vertigo and tinnitus. This condition is oftentimes confused with vestibular migraine.
Individuals with migraine have a chance of developing a panic disorder which is quite higher among those who do not have migraines. Take note that both conditions can cause dizziness. Panic attacks can also trigger symptoms such as chest pain, nausea, chills, sweating as well as feeling of choking, tingling and numbness.
Those who have migraines are also more likely to experience motion sickness, thus suggesting a link between the vestibular system and migraines.
What are the causes of vestibular migraines?
The exact cause of migraines is not generally understood including vestibular migraine. It is believed that there is an abnormal brainstem activity that spreads to change how the senses are interpreted including pain as well as changing the flow of blood via the arteries in the head.
Treatment
The treatment for vestibular migraine is similar to other migraine therapies. The standard form of treatment includes avoiding the triggers of the migraine such as sleep loss, bright lights or certain foods. Even visual movement can oftentimes trigger vestibular migraine.
In some circumstances, the use of anti-migraine medications, physical therapy and nausea medication can help with the instability while walking. Individuals with vestibular migraine are lucky since there are various ways to cope with the migraine on a daily basis at the present along with various support groups.