Vestibular migraine can feel strange if you are used to it being mainly about headaches. You may feel dizzy or off balance, or feel as though things are moving, without much pain in your head.
These symptoms can get in the way of everyday things. A trip in the car, looking at a screen, walking around or even being somewhere busy can feel difficult when an episode starts. There are different ways to manage the condition, including looking at suitable vestibular migraine treatment and paying attention to your own triggers.
In this guide, we’ll go through the symptoms to look out for, things that may trigger an episode, ways to make symptoms easier to handle and where nutritional support can fit in.
The Basics of Vestibular Migraine
Vestibular migraine is a type of migraine where dizziness and balance problems can be just as noticeable as a headache, or sometimes even more so. Other times, there is hardly any head pain.
You may also feel sick during an episode, and things like bright lights or loud sounds can become harder to tolerate. Then there is movement to deal with. Walking, turning your head or getting into a car can sometimes make the dizziness worse.
You cannot always put dizziness down to migraine. There are lots of possible causes. If you have been getting it recently, it is happening over and over, or it is starting to affect your everyday life, it is a good idea to have it checked.
Common Symptoms of Vestibular Migraine
There is quite a bit of variation in how vestibular migraine feels. You may notice your balance first, or you may have several symptoms happening together. It can be different from one episode to another too.
1. Dizziness and Vertigo
The dizziness might feel like the whole room is moving, or like you are spinning. For some people, though, it is not that strong. You may just feel a little shaky or not very steady on your feet.
2. Nausea and Feeling Unwell
The dizziness can leave you feeling quite sick. Looking at a busy environment or moving around may make that feeling stronger.
3. Light and Noise Sensitivity
When you are having an episode, even things you are used to can suddenly feel unpleasant. A bright room, too much noise, a busy place or just looking at your phone may be enough to make you feel worse.
4. Headache May or May Not Be Present
The headache part can be easy to miss because it is not always there. You may have only mild head pain, or none at all. Instead, the dizziness or vertigo may be the main thing you are dealing with.
Triggers That May Bring on Symptoms
There is no single trigger that affects everyone with vestibular migraine. Some things may make symptoms more likely for certain people, including:
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Not getting enough sleep
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Stress
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Skipping meals
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Not drinking enough water
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Some types of food
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Alcohol
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Too much caffeine
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Changes to your usual routine
Dealing With Vestibular Migraine
There is no set routine that everyone with vestibular migraine has to follow. It is usually a matter of seeing what happens with your own symptoms and making a few changes where they actually help.
1. Take It Easy During an Attack
When the dizziness starts, stop for a while and sit somewhere comfortable. Try to get somewhere quiet if bright lights or noise are bothering you. Sometimes just having a bit less going on around you can help until the symptoms pass.
If you are feeling off balance, stay sitting until you feel okay to get up. There is no reason to keep walking around when you do not feel steady.
2. Try to Keep a Regular Routine
Try not to let the basics get pushed aside. Try to keep your sleep fairly regular, eat around the times you normally would and drink enough water during the day.
You do not need a strict timetable. Just keeping things reasonably consistent can be easier than making lots of changes that you cannot stick to.
3. Find Your Personal Triggers
Pay attention to what was going on before an episode. A little note about your sleep, meals, or anything unusual that happened that day can tell you quite a bit over time.
Once you have done this for a while, you may start seeing a connection. That does not mean you need to avoid every food or activity that is said to trigger migraines. Your own experience matters more.
4. Consider Vestibular Rehabilitation
If dizziness, motion sensitivity or balance problems continue between attacks, vestibular rehabilitation may help. This uses specific exercises to help the brain adapt to movement and balance signals and is usually guided by a specialist physiotherapist.
5. When to Get Some Medical Advice
If the symptoms are becoming a regular part of your day, talk to a GP or another healthcare professional. They can go through what you have been experiencing and check your medical history.
Depending on what they find, they may suggest medication for attacks or discuss treatment that could help reduce future episodes. The options will depend on your symptoms.
Supplements for Migraine Support
If you have been looking into ways to manage migraine, you have probably seen riboflavin and CoQ10 mentioned as well. They are often looked at as a source of nutritional support alongside things like a regular routine, trigger management and medical treatment when needed.
Riboflavin is simply another name for vitamin B2. NICE says that 400 mg a day may help some people reduce the frequency and intensity of their migraines. That is one reason riboflavin 400 mg in the UK can be something people look for when considering nutritional support.
CoQ10 has received some attention too. Research has found possible benefits for migraine frequency and the length of attacks, although the results have not been completely consistent.
If you are considering CoQ10 for migraines, it makes more sense to see it as part of your overall migraine routine rather than a quick fix.
Magnesium is another nutrient commonly used for migraine support and is often combined with riboflavin and CoQ10. MigraSoothe Booster II provides magnesium citrate and can be used alongside our riboflavin-based products as part of a wider migraine routine.
Keeping Things Together
Vestibular migraine can throw your usual routine off, especially when dizziness is one of the main symptoms. Everyone seems to have their own pattern with it. Taking note of what happens before your symptoms start can help you work out what your triggers might be.
When an attack starts, take things slowly and give yourself a chance to recover. If the episodes are happening often or making everyday life difficult, a healthcare professional can help you look at your treatment options.
At MigraSoothe, our focus is on nutritional support for migraine management. Our products include ingredients such as riboflavin and CoQ10, which can be included as part of a wider migraine routine. If you are looking into migraine relief in the UK, nutritional support may be something to consider alongside the other parts of your migraine management plan.
FAQs
1. What does an episode actually feel like?
For some people, it is the feeling that everything is moving when it is not. Others notice more of a balance problem or general dizziness. You can also feel sick or become sensitive to light and sound.
2. Can vestibular migraine occur without head pain?
Yes. You do not have to have a noticeable headache during an episode. The dizziness or vertigo can happen on its own.
3. How Long Can the Dizziness Last?
That is different from one person to the next. Symptoms can last minutes or hours, and sometimes they carry on for longer than that.
4. Are there common triggers?
Poor sleep, stress, missed meals, and dehydration are some of the usual things to look out for. Food and drinks may also be linked to symptoms in some people.
5. What Can You Try for Vestibular Migraine?
Start by paying attention to your own pattern. Regular meals, sleep, hydration and trigger management can all have a place, while a healthcare professional can advise on medical treatment.
6. Can vestibular migraine happen without a headache?
Yes. Dizziness, vertigo and balance problems can occur with little or no head pain.
7. Can riboflavin help vestibular migraine?
Riboflavin 400 mg is used for migraine prevention, although research specifically on vestibular migraine is more limited.
8. Can magnesium help vestibular migraine?
Magnesium is commonly used as nutritional support for migraine and may form part of a wider vestibular migraine management plan.
9. Can vestibular migraine get better?
Yes. Many people find that the right combination of treatment, trigger management and lifestyle changes can reduce the frequency and severity of episodes.
Important: This article is for general information only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition. Migraine symptoms and their causes vary between individuals, and dizziness can have causes other than migraine. Speak to a healthcare professional if you have new, severe, persistent or unexplained symptoms, or before making significant changes to your treatment.
A–Z glossary definitions: Vestibular Migraine