Dizziness could be a form of migraine
Photo by Ivan Aleksic | Unsplash
Most people think they understand migraines. A pounding headache, sensitivity to light, maybe nausea. The person retreats to a dark room and waits for the storm to pass. But migraines don’t always look like that.
Some people experience migraines without severe head pain at all. Instead, they develop symptoms like dizziness, brain fog, visual disturbances or a strange floating sensation, like they’re on a boat.
Because these symptoms don’t match the classic migraine description, they will go unrecognized and undiagnosed for years.
Vestibular migraine is one of the most common neurological causes of unexplained dizziness and lightheadedness. People with this condition say they feel like they’re intoxicated even though they don’t drink alcohol.
Unfortunately, vestibular migraine can be a difficult diagnosis to make because there isn’t a single test that confirms it. Doctors (ENTs or neurologists) usually arrive at the diagnosis by ruling out other causes first; that’s termed a “diagnosis of exclusion.”
Depending on your symptoms, physicians may evaluate inner-ear conditions such as benign positional vertigo, autonomic disorders like postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), persistent dizziness syndromes such as PPPD, or structural problems in the brain. [Ed. Note: Some doctors now consider Ménière’s disease to be a form of vestibular migraine.]
Migraine is actually more than a headache. It’s a neurological condition that affects nerve signaling and blood vessel behavior in the brain. In vestibular migraine, those changes affect your brain’s balance centers.
Symptoms may include some or all of these: dizziness, lightheadedness, episodes of vertigo, pressure in the ears, motion sensitivity, or difficulty concentrating.
It doesn’t necessarily get better when you lie down, either. The symptoms can wake you up, too.
Some people also experience visual aura, which can involve shimmering lights or temporary vision changes lasting 20 to 60 minutes. This problem is sometimes called an “ocular migraine.”
One reason migraines can be confusing is that they’re often triggered by several factors at once. I sometimes call this your personal “migrenade.”
For some people, a trigger might be a glass of wine or even a whiff of cologne. For others, the ingredients might include magnesium depletion, dehydration, poor sleep, stress, hormonal shifts, or blood sugar swings. The good news is that addressing those triggers can often make a meaningful difference.
If migraines have been part of your life for a while, my book Headache Free provides practical strategies for identifying triggers and supporting healthy brain function naturally. Following a “migraine diet” helps some people. You can also read many articles about headaches at my website.
If you struggle with unexplained dizziness, brain fog or balance problems, it may be worth discussing vestibular migraine with your doctor. Sometimes the biggest relief comes from finally understanding what your symptoms mean, realizing you’re not alone and that there’s help for you.
If you’d like to learn more about this topic and other natural ways to support your brain and nervous system, sign up for my newsletter at suzycohen.com.
This information is opinion only. It is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose your condition. Consult with your doctor before using any new drug or supplement.
Suzy Cohen is a registered pharmacist and author of The 24-Hour Pharmacist and Real Solutions from Head to Toe.
