Migraine sufferers know that tracking your migraine triggers is the best way to avoid unnecessary headaches. However, if you have vestibular migraines, you might be wondering what you should be keeping track of. What are vestibular migraine triggers, and are they different than other triggers?
Vestibular Migraine Triggers
Do you get vestibular migraines? If so, you probably know that getting the right treatment for them can be a real hassle. Unlike traditional migraines, vestibular migraines often do not involve headaches at all. Vestibular migraines are caused when something throws your vestibular system out of whack. Since the vestibular system helps us maintain our sense of balance, sufferers experience nausea, vertigo, and other vestibular symptoms, often without a headache involved. Getting vestibular migraines diagnosed and treated appropriately can be difficult, which is why it’s helpful to seek expert treatment for any vestibular distress symptoms you experience.
Keeping Track of Your Triggers
A common recommendation for migraine sufferers is to keep track of migraine triggers. If you have vestibular migraines, it is important for you to do this as well. If you aren’t sure what triggers your migraines, start to keep a migraine journal. Every time you have a migraine, take note of the following:
- The date and approximate time of the migraine
- Any possible or potential triggers
- Symptoms experienced
- Duration
If you track this information consistently, you will begin to get a sense of what causes your migraines. However, since vestibular migraines are different than traditional migraines, you might be wondering what kind of triggers you should be tracking. Keep an eye out for the following vestibular migraine triggers.
Food
Like traditional migraines, food can be a vestibular migraine trigger for some patients. Ingredients to avoid include caffeine, alcohol, cheese, chocolate, and foods that are high in MSG and other preservatives. Some researchers believe there is a link between citrus foods and migraines as well, but more research is needed to confirm this.
Hormonal Shifts
If you menstruate or take hormones for medical reasons, you may have noticed that hormonal fluctuations in your system are accompanied by vestibular migraines. In particular, changes in estrogen levels can be strong migraine triggers.
Emotional and Psychological Distress
Some people notice that they’re more prone to vestibular migraines when they’re experiencing stress. Stressful and traumatic events have a strong correlation to vestibular migraines. In fact, 80 percent of participants in a recent vestibular migraine study indicated that stress is a significant migraine trigger for them. Stress can raise blood pressure and trigger other pathways in the brain that cause migraines to occur or get worse.
Sleep Disturbances
Have you ever gotten a bad night of sleep and then had to deal with a migraine the next day? Unfortunately, bad sleep and vestibular migraines can become a cycle that is hard to break. Many vestibular migraine sufferers have reported having sleep disturbed by migraine symptoms, which can lead to a worse migraine the next day.
Weather Changes
Do you start to get a headache just before it rains? If so, you may be particularly sensitive to weather changes. While barometric pressure naturally fluctuates throughout the day, extreme rises and dips can result in vestibular migraines for chronic sufferers. Hot and humid weather is also associated with vestibular migraines for some patients.
Light Changes
You’re probably already aware that lights are a trigger for traditional migraine sufferers, but did you know that they’re a trigger for vestibular migraines as well? Flashing lights or extremely bright lights can activate the pathways in your brain that lead to migraines, or make an existing migraine worse.
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Now that you know what vestibular migraine triggers are, it’s time to start keeping track of them. Make sure your migraine journal is up to date before you see your doctor again. The more information you give them, the better you’ll know your migraine triggers, and the more relief you’ll experience as a result.
Are you experiencing frustrating vestibular migraines? Reach out to the professionals at the National Dizzy & Balance Center. We specialize in diagnosing and treating vestibular disorders, including vestibular migraines, concussions, and ongoing dizziness. To learn more about our approach, please contact us online or by phone. Or if you’re ready to get started, schedule your free medical consultation today.
