Dizziness Disorders
Vestibular Migraine
Related terms · Migrainous vertigo
Vestibular migraine is a condition where characteristics of migraine and recurrent vestibular symptoms appear together; headaches may not be present during an attack.
Overview
Vestibular Migraine: Check these three things first
- VestibularMigraineis a condition where we check for a history of recurring dizziness and migraines, or migraine characteristics such as sensitivity to light and sound.
- Since you may not have a headache on days you feel dizzy, it is not ruled out based solely on the absence of a headache.
- Record the duration of attacks, sleep, menstruation, stimulation from screens and movement, and changes in hearing to Meniere's diseasedistinguish it from BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo).
Meaning and Distinctions
What is vestibular migraine?
We check for a history of migraines, sensitivity to light, sound, and movement, as well as the duration of attacks. Vestibular migraine is a condition where migraine characteristics and recurring vestibular symptoms appear together; headaches may be absent during an attack.
- Easily confused terms
- Distinguish from the fluctuating hearing loss of Meniere's disease and BPPVthe short, position-induced attacks of BPPV.
- Why this is checked during medical evaluation
- Examine the relationship between attacks and sleep, menstruation, or sensory stimulation.
- What to note down for your visit
- Do not rule it out based solely on the presence or absence of a headache.
More Details
Connecting vestibular migraine to my symptoms
Look for migraine characteristics even in attacks without headaches
Note whether light or sound was exceptionally uncomfortable at the same time as the dizziness, whether it worsened with moving screens or in supermarket aisles, or if there was nausea migraine auraor other symptoms. A past history of migraines and family history are helpful for diagnosis, but a diagnosis is not confirmed based on a single symptom.
Record hearing changes and position-induced duration separately
If fluctuating hearing loss, tinnitus, or a feeling of fullness in the ear is prominent, an evaluation for Meniere's disease is necessary; if short spinning sensations occur within seconds in specific positions, BPPV is checked. If you experience new paralysis, slurred speech, double vision, difficulty walking, or a sudden severe headache, do not wait for it to be a migraine and seek prompt medical evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions when looking into vestibular migraine
Can it be vestibular migraine even if my head doesn't hurt?
Yes, it is possible. Since headaches do not accompany every attack, we check for a past history of migraines, sensitivity to light and sound, auras, and the recurring pattern of dizziness.
If I feel dizzy when looking at a screen, is it vestibular migraine?
Sensitivity to screens and movement stimulation is one clue, but it is not used for diagnosis on its own. An evaluation is made by synthesizing the duration of attacks, hearing changes, position-induced triggers, and other neurological symptoms.
Dizziness, Ear, Head, and Face Glossary
Compare similar terms here
You can check simple definitions before proceeding to detailed explanations.Read More
Check guides where this term is used
- Condition GuideMigraineMigraine is not a condition confirmed by a single blood test or MRI; it is clinically diagnosed by synthesizing recurring headache patterns, nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, aura, and physical and neurological examinations. If typical migraine patterns are stable and the examination is normal, brain imaging is not always necessary. CT or MRI is selected to identify other causes if the headache starts suddenly and severely, changes rapidly in appearance, or if new headaches, neurological abnormalities, or persistent atypical aura occur after age 50.→
- Condition GuideDizzinessVertigo manifests as a feeling that you or your surroundings are spinning, or a feeling that your body is tilting or about to fall. It may be accompanied by staggering, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, and a loss of sense of direction. Note whether it occurs briefly and repeatedly when changing head posture, whether it continues even while still, or if it is accompanied by a feeling of fullness in one ear, tinnitus, or hearing loss. If sudden slurred speech, weakness in the face, arms, or legs, double vision, severe headache, or inability to walk occurs, do not wait for a vestibular evaluation and seek emergency evaluation immediately.→
- Medical Evaluation GuideWhat are the differences between BPPV, Meniere's disease, and vestibular migraine?If a sensation of spinning lasts from a few seconds to around 1 minute and recurs when turning over or lifting your head, it helps in identifying BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo). If dizziness lasting from tens of minutes to several hours occurs alongside changes in hearing in one ear, tinnitus, or a feeling of fullness in the ear, we check for Meniere's disease; if there is sensitivity to light, sound, and movement, or a history of migraines, even without a current headache, we check for vestibular migraine. We differentiate these by matching symptoms with hearing tests, nystagmus observation, neurological examinations, and changes over time.→
- Head, Ear, and Face ColumnCan it be vestibular migraine even if only dizziness recurs without a headache?→
Evidence and Update Information
The following materials were referenced to verify the basis and scope of the definitions and treatment descriptions.