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Vestibular migraines cause dizziness, balance problems, and nausea, and are more common in adult women with a history of vertigo. They can be triggered by environmental factors and may be inherited. Treatment options include medication and identifying triggers. Medical evaluation is important to rule out underlying problems.
A vestibular migraine is a headache accompanied by dizziness, balance problems, and nausea. People of any age can suffer from vestibular migraines, although they are more common in adult women who have a history of vertigo episodes. In most cases, vertigo sensations appear 30 to 60 minutes before the onset of pain in the head and can persist for several hours. Doctors can prescribe medications for people who experience frequent vestibular migraines to reduce the incidence rate and lessen the severity of the episodes.
The exact causes of vestibular migraine are unclear, although medical researchers believe that people may inherit predisposing factors from their parents. Numerous environmental factors can trigger episodes in people genetically predisposed to migraines, including bright lights, chronic stress, alcohol and allergies. Vestibular migraines, which are less common than other forms of migraine disorders, may or may not be triggered by those conditions. Congenital deformities of the inner ear or chemical imbalances in the brain can contribute to some cases.
A person suffering from vestibular migraine usually notices strange sensations that the fixed environment is in motion. You may start to lose your balance and need to sit or lie down to avoid a fall. Dizziness often leads to feelings of nausea and vomiting attacks. Within about an hour of the onset of dizziness, a dull, radiating headache occurs. Sensitivity to light can also accompany a vestibular migraine. Symptoms can last from one to five hours and are often relieved when a person is able to fall asleep.
Medical evaluation should be sought after experiencing a vestibular migraine so that doctors can check for underlying problems. In the emergency room or a neurologist’s office, specialists may perform computed tomography scans and magnetic resonance imaging screens of the brain to look for signs of tissue damage or abnormal tumors. An EEG can be used to determine if the electrical signals in the brain are stable. Vestibular migraines aren’t usually indicative of brain damage or seizure disorders, but it’s important to get thorough screenings so doctors can make sure.
Once other conditions have been ruled out, a doctor can discuss treatment options. A patient may be prescribed a medication to take whenever she notices the first signs of vestibular migraine to relieve symptoms. People who experience frequent episodes may need to take daily medications. A doctor may also be able to help a patient identify and avoid possible triggers in the future. Most people eventually stop having migraines altogether, but for some it is a lifelong problem.
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