What are the symptoms of vestibular migraine?

Vestibular migraine is a neurological condition that causes both headache and dizziness. This form of migraine affects the balance system in the inner ear and can cause symptoms such as vertigo, balance problems and nausea. The complaints can range from mild imbalance to severe attacks that disrupt daily activities.

What is vestibular migraine and how does it differ from ordinary migraine?

Vestibular migraine is a specific form of migraine where the balance system is affected, in addition to the typical headache. This neurological condition causes dizziness, balance problems and motion sensitivity, which can occur with or without headache.

The main difference from classic migraine lies in the involvement of the vestibular system in the inner ear. While ordinary migraine primarily manifests itself in headache with possible aura phenomena, nausea and light sensitivity, vestibular migraine adds specific balance disorders to this.

In vestibular migraine, patients may experience the following:

• Vertigo without headache
• Movement illusions and imbalance
• Increased sensitivity to movement
• Spatial disorientation

This form of migraine can occur without the classic headache, which sometimes makes diagnosis difficult. The balance system reacts hypersensitively to the same migraine triggers that can also trigger ordinary migraine attacks.

Which symptoms indicate vestibular migraine?

The symptoms of vestibular migraine include dizziness, balance problems, nausea and headache. These can occur in different combinations and vary greatly per person and per attack. Some people experience only balance disorders, while others have all symptoms simultaneously.

The most common symptoms are:

• Vertigo – the feeling that the environment is spinning or moving
• Balance problems and uncertainty when walking
• Nausea and sometimes vomiting
• Headache that can vary in intensity
• Visual disturbances, such as aura phenomena or light flashes
• Sensitivity to light, sound and movement
• Spatial disorientation

What makes vestibular migraine complex is that symptoms can occur without classic headache. Some people experience only dizziness and balance problems, which makes recognition of this form of migraine difficult.

The intensity of symptoms can change during an attack. Useful migraine tips for recognizing patterns include keeping a symptom diary, in which you note when complaints occur and what possible triggers were.

How long do vestibular migraine attacks last and what triggers them?

Vestibular migraine attacks can vary from several minutes to several days. Most attacks last between 5 minutes and 72 hours, with the average duration around 4–24 hours. The frequency differs per person, from several times per year to multiple attacks per month.

Common migraine triggers for vestibular migraine are:

• Stress and emotional tension
• Hormonal changes during menstruation or menopause
• Sleep deprivation or changes in sleep pattern
• Certain foods, such as chocolate, cheese or alcohol
• Weather changes and air pressure fluctuations
• Bright light or flickering lighting
• Strong odours and perfumes
• Physical exhaustion

Recognizing personal triggers is crucial for preventing attacks. Keeping a migraine diary helps identify patterns and develop strategies for avoiding known triggering factors.

Some people experience warning signals prior to an attack, such as changes in mood, appetite or energy level. These early signals can help to take timely preventive measures.

When should you see a doctor with vestibular migraine symptoms?

Medical help is necessary when dizziness and balance problems regularly return, disrupt daily activities or are accompanied by serious symptoms. A correct diagnosis is essential, because vestibular migraine is sometimes confused with other balance disorders.

Seek immediate medical help for the following alarm symptoms:

• Suddenly occurring, severe headache that is different from what you are used to
• Dizziness with hearing loss or tinnitus
• Balance problems in combination with speech disorders
• Headache with fever and neck stiffness
• Visual disturbances that do not disappear
• Loss of consciousness or confusion

A doctor can diagnose vestibular migraine by evaluating the symptoms and excluding other causes. This often happens based on medical history, symptom patterns and sometimes additional examination.

Early diagnosis and treatment can reduce the frequency and severity of attacks. A specialist can also give practical migraine tips for dealing with triggers and developing a personal treatment plan.

How Ruggensteun helps with vestibular migraine

Chiropractic care can contribute to relief of vestibular migraine through optimization of spinal alignment and nervous system function. We approach vestibular migraine holistically by improving the connection between spine, nervous system and balance function.

Our treatment approach for vestibular migraine includes:

• Spinal corrections for improved nerve communication
• Cranial Facial Release (CFR) techniques for reduction of skull and neck tension
• Specialized Y-strap treatments for decompression
• Dry needling for muscle balance and tension reduction
• Holistic guidance in identifying triggers

By optimizing spinal function and balance in the nervous system, we can help reduce the frequency and intensity of vestibular migraine attacks. Our specialized approach focuses on addressing underlying causes rather than just symptom management.

Would you like to know more about how we can help with your vestibular migraine? View our migraine treatments or contact us directly for a personal consultation. On our website you can find more information about our holistic treatment options.