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Vestibular Migraine

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About the Disease

Vestibular Migraine is a form of migraine that affects the Vestibular Nerve. Like migraine, Vestibular migraine also affects women more than men and is prevalent in young and middle-aged people. In some cases, it may also occur in children. This disorder affects the day-to-day life of patients and may lead to anxiety because of the dizziness.

A vector image of man suffering from Vestibular Migraine Disease
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Symptoms

The main symptom of a vestibular migraine is recurrent spells of dizziness that may last for a few seconds to days. Vestibular Migraine patients often complain of headaches before, during or after the dizzy spells though not all vestibular migraine patients have headaches.

Other symptoms

  •  Nausea and vomiting
  • Motion sensitivity – a sensation of dizziness when one moves the body, head or eyes.
  •  Disorientation/ Brain fog
  •  Increased sensitivity to light or sound
  •  Motion sickness
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Diagnosis

A comprehensive vertigo workup is essential to diagnose the cause of dizziness or vertigo. This workup typically includes the following tests:

  • Videonystagmography (VNG): Detects horizontal spontaneous nystagmus, which reduces with optic fixation.
  •  Subjective Visual Vertical (SVV): Measures misinterpretation of the vertical plane, typically shifted to the damaged side by more than 10°.
  •  Dynamic Visual Acuity (DVA): Assesses any reduction in visual acuity during movement.
  •  Craniocorpography (CCG): Reveals rotation to the affected side during the Unterberger test.
  •  Posturography
  •  Video-Head Impulse Test(vHIT): Identifies deficits in the vestibulo-ocular reflex on the affected side.
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Treatment

Neurologists and Neuro-otologists are specialized in diagnosing and treating vestibular migraine.

Medical treatment often focuses on migraine prevention and balance stabilization, but long-term care usually combines clinic-based treatment with home-based strategies.

Vestibular Migraine Treatment at Home

Vestibular migraine treatment at home focuses on reducing triggers, stabilizing the nervous system, and supporting balance recovery. These measures do not replace medical care but significantly improve symptom control when followed consistently.

1. Identify and Avoid Triggers

Common triggers include:

  • Irregular sleep
  • Skipping meals
  • Stress and anxiety
  • Bright lights or screen overuse
  • Certain foods (chocolate, aged cheese, caffeine, alcohol)

Keeping a symptom diary helps identify personal triggers.

2. Maintain a Regular Routine

  • Fixed sleep and wake times
  • Regular meals to avoid blood sugar fluctuations
  • Adequate hydration

Consistency is one of the most effective home strategies for vestibular migraine.

3. Manage Sensory Overload

  • Reduce screen brightness
  • Take visual breaks
  • Use sunglasses or anti-glare lenses when sensitive to light

4. Gentle Balance and Movement Exercises

  • Slow head movements
  • Walking on flat surfaces
  • Simple balance exercises recommended by a therapist

These support vestibular compensation without overstimulation.

5. Stress Regulation

  • Deep breathing
  • Mindfulness or meditation
  • Light yoga or stretching

Stress is one of the strongest triggers for vestibular migraine attacks.

When Home Treatment Is Not Enough

While vestibular migraine treatment at home helps reduce attack frequency, medical evaluation is essential if:

  • Dizziness becomes more frequent or severe
  • Symptoms last several days continuously
  • Hearing loss, weakness, or vision changes occur
  • Daily activities become difficult despite lifestyle changes

In such cases, preventive medications and structured vestibular rehabilitation may be required.

Conclusion

Vestibular migraine is a chronic neurological condition that affects balance, comfort, and quality of life. Early diagnosis and structured treatment are essential.

Combining medical care with vestibular migraine treatment at home empowers patients to regain control, reduce symptom severity, and improve long-term stability.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How can vestibular migraines be healed naturally?

Naturally, vestibular migraines can be treated sometimes through avoidance of attacks, proper sleep, stress, and stable blood glucose by eating regular meals. Mild forms of vestibular rehabilitation exercises can also be used to decrease dizziness with time. Others are fortunate to deal with specialized clinics such as Neuroequillibrium which work with balance disorders and non-invasive therapies that are specialized and customized to assist in long-term management of symptoms.

Majority of the vestibular migraines do not necessitate ER care particularly when symptomatology is known and progressively relieved. Nevertheless, emergency care should be sought in case of the suddenness, severity, or the presence of new neurological symptoms like weakness, confusion, slurred speech, or loss of vision. The signs may demonstrate the case of another more severe illness that requires urgent medical attention.

Treatment in children is normally linked with lifestyle change involving frequent sleeping, water, balanced feeding and limited screen time. Doctors can be recommended to use a symptom diary to identify triggers. In some other cases, there is prevention drug or therapy of the vestibula. Patient-specific centers like Neuroequillibrium would be beneficial as well since they offer balance therapies and custom made therapy sessions that are kid-friendly and under the supervision of a health professional.

Yes, sometimes vertigo migraines may have gastrointestinal symptoms, such as diarrhea. This is because migraines have a potential to impact on the autonomic nervous system which regulates digestion. During an episode nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort and bowel changes can take place. Although such symptoms are not common, they are known to belong to the general spectrum of migraine.

Some of the supplements can be used to prevent or lessen the occurrence or severity of vestibular migraines in the case of some individuals. Magnesium, riboflavin (vitamin B2), and coenzyme Q10 have been actively discussed because of their role in nerve and energy activity. The effects differ and the supplements are supposed to be administered regularly and with the help of a doctor, particularly when you are suffering other health-related problems or have some prescription drugs.

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