Vestibular Migraine – When the Brain Causes Dizziness

Vestibular migraine (VM) is a condition in which dizziness and vertigo can occur from central brain changes that occur similar to migraine headaches.

Although VM has #migraine in its name, it can happen with or without the feeling of a migraine headache. Some patients have just #vestibular symptoms like #vertigo. Others will have both #headache and vertigo along with other neurological manifestations.

VM is the most common cause of episodic vertigo, but it is frequently misdiagnosed for other inner ear disorders.

The hallmark signs of VM are a history of migraine headaches and increased visual dependency in balance.

Even when not in the midst of a vertigo attack, patients with VM can have debilitating imbalance and motion sickness between episodes and are persistent.

The good news is that many cases are treatable with migraine treatments like migraine meds, anti-CGRP antibody therapies, and vagus nerve stimulation seem to reduce attacks.

Between attacks, cervical and vestibular rehab can help decrease the burden of persistent imbalance and dizzy symptoms.

This is a place where functional neurology and upper cervical care really thrives.

Check out our most recent VM patient and you can see significant decreases in their disability scores and big improvements on their balance and sway.