Migraine is a major cause for headache and is seen in people of all ages. It is often characterised by a severe or throbbing headache and is often associated with nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to bright light and loud sounds. Migraine headaches usually last about 4-72 hours if not treated. Patients get repeated episodes of headaches initiated by some common trigger factors. Common triggers include lack of sleep, skipping meals, alcoholic drinks, weather changes, stress etc.
Though the exact cause of Migraine is not known but genetic and environmental factors seem to involved. Changes in the brainstem and its interaction with the Trigeminal nerve, a major pain pathway might be involved.
Migrainous Vertigo or Vestibular migraine is also a common condition in which patients present with vertigo and headaches. Headaches and dizziness may occur independently as well. In Migrainous vertigo, the vertigo lasts for a few minutes at least. Sometimes it may last upto few days. Rarely Vestibular migraine patients may not have headaches at all. But usually these patients give the history of trigger factors.
In Migrainous vertigo it is important to rule out other common causes of Vertigo like Benign positional vertigo and Meniere’s disease. MRI of the Brain is done to check the brain. Hearing and Balance tests like Pure tone Audiometry and Videonystagmography (VNG) is done to assess the ears.
There is no specific treatment for Vestibular migraines. The treatment is the same as that of all Migraines. Lifestyle measures and medicines help to control the severity and frequency of attacks, leading to an improved quality of life for the patients