Migraines are a type of headache that can cause intense, debilitating pain. Some people also experience aura with migraines, which are visual or other neurological symptoms that occur before or during the headache. Migraines are thought to be caused by changes in the brainstem and its interactions with the trigeminal nerve, a major pain pathway. Migraines are more common in women than men and often run in families.
Vestibular migraine is a type of migraine that is associated with vestibular (inner ear) symptoms, such as dizziness and vertigo. This type of migraine is often underdiagnosed because the vestibular symptoms can mimic those of other conditions, such as Meniere’s disease or stroke.
Vestibular migraine occurs when the vestibular system, which controls balance and eye movements, is affected by changes in the brainstem and its interactions with the trigeminal nerve. These changes result in vestibular symptoms, such as dizziness, vertigo, and nausea. Vestibular migraine is often associated with other migraine symptoms, such as headache and aura.[1]
What are common migraine symptoms?
The most common symptom of a migraine is a throbbing or pulsing pain that is often on one side of the head. The pain is usually moderate to severe and can be aggravated by physical activity. Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, and changes in vision. Some not-so-common symptoms also include vertigo, tingling or numbness in the extremities, and feelings of euphoria.[2]
Migraine Diagnosis
There is no definitive test to diagnose migraines. A diagnosis is usually based on a review of symptoms and a person’s medical history. A physical exam and other tests may also be done to rule out other conditions with similar symptoms.[3][4][5]
What are the common triggers of migraines?
There are many different potential triggers for migraines, and they vary from person to person. Some common triggers include: bright or flashing lights; loud noises; strong smells; changes in weather; changes in sleep patterns; skipped meals; dehydration; hormonal changes; stress.[6][7]
Atypical migraine symptoms
In addition to the typical symptoms of a migraine, some people may experience aura. Aura is a neurological symptom that can involve visual disturbances, such as seeing stars or flashing lights, or other changes, such as tingling in the extremities. Aura usually occurs before or during a headache and can last for several minutes up to an hour. You may also experience migraine related ear symptoms including: Ear pain; Ringing in the ears; Sensitivity to sound; Vertigo.[8]
References
- “Vestibular Migraine | Johns Hopkins Medicine”. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/vestibular-migraine
- “Unusual Migraine Symptoms: Recognize Signs Beyond Headache”. https://jimstrophies.com/uncommon-signs-of-migraine-exploring-odd-symptoms.html
- “Migraine Diagnosis”. https://www.news-medical.net/health/Migraine-Diagnosis.aspx
- “Migraine – Diagnosis and treatment – Mayo Clinic”. https://www.akamai.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/migraine-headache/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20360207
- “Neurology | Migraine Diagnosis | Corewell Health”. https://www.beaumont.org/conditions/migraines-diagnosis
- “The Most Common Migraine Triggers | Body & Mind | Allure”. https://www.allure.com/story/most-common-migraine-triggers
- “Understand Migraine Triggers to Identify Ways to Avoid”. https://migrawell.com/migraine-basics/migraine-triggers
- “Understanding Vestibular Migraines – ENT Health”. https://www.enthealth.org/be_ent_smart/understanding-vestibular-migraines/
- “Migraine-Associated Otalgia: An Underappreciated Entity – PMC”. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8996084/
- “Frey Syndrome – Symptoms, Causes, Treatment | NORD”. https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/frey-syndrome/
