Additional Facts About Vestibular Migraines

February 21, 2021

A vestibular migraine indicates an underlying problem in your nervous system. This medical condition triggers dizziness that may come with headaches. Finding remedies for dizziness caused by vestibular migraines is of utmost importance to those afflicted.

A vestibular migraine affects the vestibular organs, which are primarily responsible for maintaining balance. The vestibular system is the body's balance center. This delicate structure is highly susceptible to external factors that can disrupt its critical functions. 

Anything that causes the vestibular system not to function correctly triggers an immediate and unprecedented reaction, often in the form of vestibular migraines, BPPVs, and headaches.

 

Differentiating Vestibular Migraines And Positional Vertigo

Vestibular migraines are different from benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). BPPV is a disorder that stems from a person's inner ears. It makes the person feel dizzy due to the whirling sensation. 

Although both conditions cause dizziness and nausea, BPPV's primary factor is the spinning feeling. Head or eye movements can also induce BPPV. Vestibular migraines, on the other hand, are not exacerbated by physical actions. 

In a recent study on vestibular migraines and BPPV, patients took note of their personal experiences in 3 months. The respondents completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Dizziness Handicap Inventory Scale (DHI) assessments. The study's goal was to assess the impact of vestibular migraines and BPPV on the patients' overall well-being.

The results showed that patients with vestibular migraines scored higher on both scales. They were also more susceptible to feeling depressed and isolated. These emotions added to the gravity of their conditions and set off a cycle of intermittent vestibular migraines.

The study's key takeaway is to ensure that a person with vestibular migraines receives remedies for dizziness and other symptoms before the condition worsens.

 

Adverse Effects of Vestibular Migraines

People can have varying symptoms, but here are a few of the top experiences:

  • Nausea and vomiting

This is due to the sense of imbalance.

  • Reduced tolerance to light and noise

Someone with a vestibular migraine develops an acute sensitivity towards light, noise, and odor. Being exposed to a bright room often leads to a splitting headache. Noisy environments can also lead to a headache.

  • Lethargy

Vestibular migraines can cause a person to feel generally tired. During an episode, the body consumes so much energy trying to correct the imbalance while addressing the headaches. This can deplete the person's energy levels at the end of the day. 

  • Impaired spatial and depth perception

With heightened sensitivity towards environmental factors, a person with vestibular migraine can quickly develop spatial and depth perception issues. This leads to increasing uneasiness with the gradual loss of balance.

Vestibular Migraines, remedies for dizziness

Primary Prompts of Vestibular Migraines

Any of the following can easily set off vestibular migraines:

  • Hormones

A person's hormone levels can increase the risk of vestibular migraine. Women are prone to an episode, especially during their menstruation cycles. Women who are pregnant or going through menopause pose a higher likelihood of a vestibular migraine attack.

  • Stress

Anybody who is in a high-intensity situation might experience vestibular migraines. Stress causes the internal pressure to build up, which might lead to muscle tension and narrowed pathways. When this happens, a person's overall condition can change abruptly. Feeling tense and being high-strung sparks vestibular migraines.

  • Sudden environmental changes

When a person experiences unexpected changes in temperature or humidity levels, the body reacts and often does so in the form of a headache and a sense of imbalance. This is a common occurrence that most people disregard. The experience is highly similar to getting a "brain freeze" after quickly consuming a frozen treat like ice cream.

  • Choice of food and beverage

While some people relish a piece of dark chocolate, quite a few experience the tell-tale signs of a headache and dizziness after a nibble. On the other hand, others can enjoy red wine and alcoholic drinks with no worries, while others cannot leave unscathed.

Your food and beverage preferences may trigger vestibular migraines. This is a relative factor, which means that your experiences might be unique from others. Take note of your body's adverse reactions to certain food items. Do remember to keep them at arm's length next time unless you are willing to put up with an episode of vestibular migraine.

It is best to take note of your triggers so you can avoid them. If you are a woman, there are limited options available to stop the effects of hormones. Since you cannot prevent the possibilities of your hormones inducing a vestibular migraine episode, you can prepare yourself instead.

 

Natural Remedies for Dizziness Caused by Vestibular Migraines

  • Managing your stress levels and living a healthy life are great strides that will keep a vestibular migraine episode at bay.
  • Avoid contact sports that can cause long-term head trauma. Do remember that your vestibular system is a delicate infrastructure. Even minimal force quickly disrupts its normal functions.
  • Seek chiropractic care to maintain your body's balance through neck and spine alignments. The dislodged bones in a misaligned neck can cause narrow pathways. When this happens, the thinner passages take on additional pressure when processing the same transmissions. The resulting pain can come in the form of vestibular migraine.

 

Upper Cervical Care Can Ease Vestibular Migraines

Upper cervical chiropractors are skilled in assessing any misalignments. They are also adept in restoring the bones and discs to their original locations, which leads to the re-establishment of regular flow with no unnecessary pain triggers.

Upper cervical chiropractors are well-trained to ascertain if a misalignment might be behind your vestibular migraines. Our directory can help you find the upper cervical chiropractor nearest you. Get in touch with one within your city now.

Find An Upper Cervical Doctor in Your Areato schedule a consultation today.

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