When most people think of migraines, they imagine terrible headaches that are often worsened by light or bright noise. But there are several different types of migraines, one of which is called vestibular migraine. Vestibular migraines are characterized primarily by vertigo (a sensation of spinning), unsteadiness or lack of balance, sensitivity to motion, and muffled hearing or tinnitus (ringing in the ears).

It’s thought that around 10 percent of people with migraines suffer from the vestibular variety. The vestibular system is that part of the inner ear, which tells us where we are in space in three dimensions. If you’ve ever spun in circles rapidly and then stopped, you know what happens when your vestibular system isn’t working properly.

Symptoms:

Spontaneous vertigo: The feeling that you are spinning or the room is spinning around you comes on suddenly, without any trigger.Positional vertigo: This kind of vertigo occurs when you move or turn your head to a different position.

Visually-induced vertigo: This type occurs in response to watching a moving object.

Head-motion-induced vertigo: This is vertigo caused by the ongoing movement of your head.

Causes:

The causes of migraine disease are generally not well understood, and causes of vestibular migraine are even less so. The belief is that abnormal brainstem activity changes how we normally interpret our senses, including pain, and alters blood flow through the arteries in the head as well.

There are mechanisms thought to be activated that link the trigeminal system (a part of the brain activated during migraines) to the vestibular system.

Vestibular migraines usually occur in people with an established history of common migraines—also called migraine without aura—yet it’s important to note that vestibular migraines are underdiagnosed.

Like other forms of migraine, vestibular migraine is more common in women than men. These migraines often make their appearance between the ages of 20 and 40 but can begin in childhood. For women, a worsening of symptoms is often noted in the pre-menstrual period. Vestibular migraines are known to run in families.

Treatments and prevention strategies:

They include Avoidance of triggers, Lifestyle measures, and Vestibular rehabilitation. At Therapy Consultants, we can help you figure out exactly the trigger factors and what the right treatment for you would look like. Head over to our website and contact us today, for we are keen on helping you!

Contact us today at 915-503-1333

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