A vestibular migraine is a migraine which mainly manifests with vertigo which is a sensation of movement or spinning and also balance problems, often without a headache.
Vestibular migraines are characterized by repeated episodes of vertigo or dizziness which can last from minutes to even days.
Vestibular migraines may even be triggered by movement of the head and other factors.
The main symptom of a vestibular migraine is a feeling of moving or spinning or being off balance, even when you're stationary.
And unlike normal migraines a vestibular migraine can occur without an actual headache.
However in some cases a headache may occur with a vestibular migraine but not always.
The vertigo attacks with a vestibular migraine can last from a few minutes to several days.
Triggers of a vestibular migraine include movement of your head, stress, certain foods, changes in your sleep patterns, hormonal fluctuations including from menstruation.
Other symptoms of a vestibular migraine aside from vertigo include vomiting, nausea, sensitivity to light and sound as well as visual disturbances such as flashing lights and changes in your hearing.
Like other migraines, vestibular migraines often progress through 4 stages which include prodrome, aura, attack and postdrome.
The prodrome stage of the vestibular migraine involves warning signs before the migraine.
And aura, if present can involve visual or sensory changes and the attack stage of the vestibular migraine is characterized by the main migraine symptoms which include headache and vestibular symptoms.
And finally, postdrome stage involves a feeling of exhaustion or other lingering symptoms after the migraine.