Migraines and Dizziness: A Dangerous Combination

If you or someone you know suffers from migraines and dizziness, you understand just how debilitating they can be.  Sadly, this is the case for those who suffer from migraine-associated vertigo or MAV. This condition is also referred to as a vestibular migraine.

Getting to Know Migraines

Migraines are one of the most disabling chronic conditions in the USA, almost as prevalent as high blood pressure. They are more commonplace than diabetes and asthma. They usually affect those in the age range of 20 to 40 years, although they can occur at any time and any age. Women are three times more likely to get migraines than men.

It would seem that as diagnostic practices improve and the public becomes more aware of what migraines are, the impact would lessen. However, this is not the case. Almost 50 percent of those experiencing migraines are undiagnosed or cannot find a proper way to manage their condition. Many try to care for migraines without the aid of a professional or are diagnosed with a sinus headache or other headache type.

Symptoms of Migraines

Often called a sick headache, migraines are most commonly known for the following:

• Throbbing or pounding head pain, usually on only one side (but not always)
• Pain that progressively gets worse
• Inability to complete normal daily routines
• Sensitivity to light, sound, and certain smells
• Nausea and/or vomiting

Migraines Accompanied by Dizziness

Migraines and dizziness tend to happen together. In fact, around 40 percent of people diagnosed with migraines also have some sort of vestibular syndrome interfering with balance or causing dizziness. This may be before, during, or entirely unrelated to the migraine episode. Interestingly, migraines and vestibular disorders without migraines do share some related issues. The following things can trigger a migraine as well as an episode of dizziness:

• Food and environmental triggers (we will look closer at these later)
• Hormonal fluctuations
• Weather changes

In addition, some symptoms that come about with migraines also come about with non-migraine vestibular disorders, such as:

• Dizziness
• Inability to move the head without feeling worse
• Spontaneous vertigo attacks
• Diminished ability to focus the eyes
• Sensitivity to sound and tinnitus
• Balance loss and ataxia
• Neck pain and muscle spasms
• Confusion
• Spatial orientation
• Anxiety or panic attacks

In some situations, patients who suffer from migraines often have vertigo symptoms, specifically those of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (vertigo that is induced by head movement), after the migraine has gone away. This seems to be due to a combination of vascular events and altered neural activity due to the migraine episode. It can be concluded that inflammation, a result of migraines, can be an influencing factor in these cases.

A Closer Look at Triggers for Migraines

Some of the following triggers may apply to migraines as well as vestibular dysfunction:

• Aged cheeses
• MSG
• Processed, smoked, or cured meats
• Food tenderizer, soy sauce, vinegar, or yeast extract
• Pickled, marinated, or fermented foods
• Onions, pickles, olives
• Beans and peas
• Alcohol
• Buttermilk, sour cream, yogurt
• Hot, fresh bread and raised dough bakery items
• Chocolate, carob, cocoa
• Peanut butter and nuts
• Too much tea, coffee, or cola
• Some fruits – such as citrus and bananas

Other triggers:

• Stress
• Sleep problems
• Barometric-pressure changes
• Hormone changes
• Medications

How Migraines and Dizziness Happen Can Give Clues About Care

Advances in technology have opened up a new door to understanding how and why migraines progress. While the exact cause remains a mystery, there is some evidence that can help doctors care for their patients more effectively. This is particularly true when looking at the vascular and neural processes of migraines.

The generally accepted view is that vestibular or migraine-associated headaches are connected to a cerebral spreading depression of an electrical charge that activates the pain receptors located in the brainstem, which is in close conjunction with the vestibular apparatus. Then, neurotransmitters are released that cause the blood vessels near the scalp to dilate, leading to pain.

There is quite a bit of evidence to suggest that migraines are inherited and those suffering from them have an abnormal discharge of neurons that affect the brainstem negatively.

This helps doctors and researchers understand that migraines are not totally related to the vascular system but are a combination of vascular and neural processes. So, what is causing the brainstem to not do its job properly?

Migraines and the Brainstem

A 23-year-old woman sought out the care of an upper cervical chiropractor 5 months after enduring a slip and fall that led to a concussion. She was complaining of vertigo and headaches, indicating she suffered from post-concussion syndrome. She previously suffered from headaches, but they were made much worse by her concussion. Vertigo, occurring when she changed head position, was a new symptom, however. Imaging ruled out a fracture but revealed she did have a misalignment in her upper cervical spine. She received care by an upper cervical chiropractor. This improved her vertigo, and the vertigo actually went away after just two months of care.

We practice a similar method here at Upper Cervical Chiropractic San Diego in San Diego, California. We understand how the brainstem is impacted when there is a misalignment in this area of the neck. The top bone of the neck, the atlas or C1 vertebra, is designed to protect the brainstem. However, when it becomes misaligned due to an accident or head trauma, it can have the opposite effect and actually cause the brainstem to be under pressure. This leads to it sending improper signals to the brain and negatively affecting neural and vascular responses.

The method used to realign the C1 is very gentle and precise. It is based on scientific measurements and includes readjustments without the need to pop or crack the spine or neck. This helps the bones to realign naturally and leads to an adjustment which stays in place longer than if it were forced into place. Many patients have seen positive results with not only migraines but also vertigo.

To schedule a consultation with Upper Cervical Chiropractic San Diego, call 858-434-5926 or just click the button below.

If you are outside of the local area you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.