Migraine Associated Vertigo: Symptoms, Causes & Treatments

A migraine can present in different ways. In the case of vestibular migraine, your symptoms may involve dizziness and balance problems or vertigo. This type of migraine is also known as migraine associated vertigo, and it may be more common than you think.

A vestibular migraine is a type of migraine that causes related dizziness and problems with the vestibular system in migraine sufferers.

The vestibular system is responsible for balance and spatial coordination. Vestibular function is located within the inner ear, where most problems with vertigo begin.

Can you get vertigo with a migraine?  You can get vertigo with a migraine. In fact, episodic vertigo with vestibular migraines makes up a  significant portion  of patients with a history of migraines.

Other than migraine associated vertigo, a vestibular migraine may also be known as:

How long does it take to get rid of migraine vertigo?  It can take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours to get rid of or successfully treat migraine vertigo. In severe cases, symptoms associated with a vestibular migraine can come and go for several days.

Migraine symptoms with a vestibular migraine may include migraine headaches, but that isn’t always the case. The  most common symptom  of migraine associated vertigo is vertigo itself.

That’s the spinning sensation or a feeling of movement while remaining still, and typically more severe than the dizziness you may feel from low blood pressure or getting up too quickly.

Symptoms of migraine associated vertigo include:

Some vertigo sufferers also report sensitivity to visual stimulation, smell, and light (photophobia). These are classic migraine symptoms. Vision changes specifically may signal an ocular migraine.

Vertigo in all its forms is a symptom, not a condition. The cause of most bouts of peripheral vertigo is related to an inner ear problem. Central vertigo may be caused by stroke, head trauma, or brain tumors.

Migraines are complicated, but generally a migraine is a neurological condition caused by various factors. There is no cause for migraines.

In the case of migraine associated vertigo, underlying causes of vertigo may include:

Triggers for migraine associated vertigo are similar to general migraine triggers. Those include:

It can be difficult to diagnose migraine associated vertigo. There is no blood test or imaging scan available, and symptoms are typically self-reported.

How is migraine associated vertigo diagnosed?  Your health care provider may diagnose you with migraine associated vertigo based on patient history and a reporting of your symptoms.

They will likely use the following  diagnostic criteria  from the International Headache Society and International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD):

Diagnoses using this method aren’t perfect, but more often than not, following those criteria will lead to an  accurate diagnosis  of vestibular migraines.

It is also possible for  several conditions  to exist at the same time. This can make treatment plans more challenging, despite the prevalence of vertigo as a primary migraine symptom.

A primary care physician, neurologist, or another specialist, will work to address any underlying conditions that may be causing vertigo symptoms in migraine patients or migraineurs.

What are the risks of migraine associated vertigo?  Migraine associated vertigo at its most basic level puts patients at risk for accidents or falls. On a deeper level, vestibular migraines put patients at a higher risk for a variety of health conditions, including recurrent motion sickness.

Inner ear disorders and  ischemic strokes  are also more common in long-term migraine patients.

Treatments for migraine associated vertigo depend on the underlying causes of your symptoms.

How do I get rid of migraine vertigo?  Medications, physical therapy, chiropractic care, and addressing migraine triggers can all work to relieve migraine vertigo.

It is important to note that symptoms of migraine associated vertigo typically have underlying causes. Hearing loss, for example, may not be your vertigo but an underlying infection. Inner ear dysfunction is a common culprit behind vertigo symptoms, but so is stroke.

Your physician should work with you on not only addressing symptoms but taking a whole-body approach to your migraine associated vertigo.

Your doctor may prescribe migraine medications to treat the symptoms of migraine attacks. These include:

Your doctor may also recommend supplements to your diet if food triggers cause your vertigo or migraine symptoms. No matter the prescription, it’s vital that the root cause of your migraine associated vertigo is also being addressed.

Physical therapy in the form of vestibular rehabilitation can improve your balance and address weaknesses in your coordination. These exercises may target neck stability, improvements to your posture, and strength training, depending on your unique needs.

It’s important that any plan is individualized and addresses the root causes of your migraine associated vertigo.

Gentle chiropractic care can reduce symptoms of vertigo by correcting the alignment of the upper neck. Vertigo attacks are often caused by misalignment in the vertebra at the upper cervical spine, causing pressure on the brain stem.

At Georgia Upper Cervical Chiropractic, precise repositioning maneuvers correct the alignment of the C1 (atlas) and C2 (axis) vertebrae. Those areas are typically most affected by head trauma and upper cervical spine conditions.

Frequent migraine sufferers often know the triggers that could lead to a migraine headache. The same is true of migraine-related vertigo and vertigo attacks.

If disruptions in your regular sleep patterns trigger your migraines, stick to a sleep schedule that gives you the rest you need to avoid those symptoms. Avoid a fluctuating diet that includes known food triggers.

Manage your stress. Stress is a known trigger for both vertigo and migraines. Reduce your stress with meditation or prayer, regular exercise, or hobbies you love.

While there is no known cure for migraine associated vertigo, there are ways to prevent the vast majority of symptoms with appropriate care.