Are vestibular migraines dangerous?

If you’re reading this, chances are that you’re experiencing headaches and wondering if they might be vestibular migraines. Maybe your head feels like a coconut that’s being hit repeatedly with an iron rod or maybe it’s more like someone is trying to drill their way into your skull. Either way, it’s important to know whether or not vestibular migraines are dangerous because who wants a headache that could potentially kill them? Don’t worry; we’ve got all the answers.

What Are Vestibular Migraines?

First things first: let’s talk about what vestibular migraines actually are. Simply put, they’re a type of migraine headache that affects your vestibular system – the part of your inner ear involved in balance control and spatial orientation. People with these types of migraines usually experience symptoms such as vertigo (a spinning sensation), dizziness, nausea and light sensitivity (also known as photophobia) alongside regular migraine symptoms such as pain on one side of the head.

Now, onto the important question:

Can They Be Dangerous?

The short answer is no! Chill out mate – breathe easy! As painful as they may be (trust me I’ve been there), only in rare cases do vestibular migraines pose any real danger to our health.

Here’s why:
– There have been some reports linking frequent (and by frequent I mean back-to-back) occurrences /repeatative episodes  of
 vestibular to increase risk for brain lesions.
– However…
– According to recent studies done by top-notch neurologists/doctors,
– Potentially permanent damages indicating brainstem syndrome may occur following only prolonged attacks lasting weeks/months
 
None-the-less…You’re still going make shit worse if you don’t watch what triggers those nasty suckers so buckle up butter cup!

What Makes Them Dangerous?

Although vestibular migraines don’t pose a significant threat to our health, certain situations might make them potentially dangerous.

  • Driving for one: driving on the drop of a coin isn’t highly recommended if you’re going through episodes like such.
     It’s said that symptoms won’t last longer than an hour and will offer time for you to park it up safely until those cheeky devils relinquish their grip on yer head!
  • Being in high places would definitely not be ideal i.e disney land rides / roller coasters unless u feel like fainting/ vomiting everywhere.
      
    The main idea is just give yourself the luxury of being up-to-date with your personal triggers so u can avoid taking unnecessary risks!

Vestibular Migraine Symptoms

Again, let’s put things into perspective here; despite how painful vestibular migraines can get—with or without any severe physical effects— they’re not usually life-threatening. Below are some common but less serious symptoms related to this type of migraine;

  1. A feeling of dizziness or light-headedness (not too bad eh?)
  2. Blurry vision
  3. Feeling sick/nausea (better out than in)
  4. Sensitive towards lights/noise – basically trying to live with English as she is spoken/Iraqi weekend screeches ??(Google Iraqi party)…yea…we’ve all been there?
  5. Tinnitus/Ringing – fun fact tinnitus was originally called tintinabulum which actually means ‘ringing bell’in latin language (mind blown)

Now before we go further let us correct something folks! Everyone says “picture speaks louder than words” well Jolie O’Dell thinks otherwise “A GOOD WORDSMITH PAINTS PICTURES WITH HIS EYES & YOUR IMAGINATIONS”. So…imagine this…You’re Cheryl Cole and Simon Cowell just criticized the performance you worked so hard for, imagine the emotions that come with it; frustration? Anger – At least not towards us! LMAO.
 

Like any other migraine headache, there are certain things that may trigger vestibular migraines:

  • Strenuous exercise (aka those spins-kicking off your workout routine on a long week day )
  • Dehydration (cue in.. drinking 3liters of water daily NOT optional folks)
  • Stress – yep thanks life’s ups and downs.
  • Hormonal factors like Menstruation / pregnancy …ladies we alltogether have felt these right?
    And then…

Diagnosis And Treatment

If you suspect you might be suffering from vestibular migraines,you need to consult an ENT specialist who will diagnose and address probable triggers. Diagnosing them would involve Medical history interview with additional possible tests such as:
1) A hearing test that checks for dramatic or sudden drops in auditory function known as “audiogram”.
2 ) The Dix-Hallpike maneuver – this test helps determine if vertigo is related to your ear.

Treatment options include :
1) Preventative medications available specifically to prevent migraines including beta blockers/ calcium channel blockers amongst others;
2) Alternatively drugs prescribed at onset of symptoms itself called ‘abortive’, aimed at disabling pain before they become severe e.g triptans/ analgesics etc.
4) Dietary changes-helps identify food items known to occur frequently prior episodes could occurrence again & reduce their intakes;

Whatever treatment option u decide on always remember its never a bad idea checking out what natural sources work best according to lifestyle/cultural beliefs or personal health regimen.

Conclusion: Should You Be Worried About Your Vestibular Migraine?

Final thought, No! However always remember to watch for those red flags and take a step back when needed, give yourself what we all call ‘ME TIME’who needs an excuse anyways wink wink….Okay maybe its just me?
 
So, In conclusion (if you’ve made it this far) (hats off!) vestibular migraines while not necessarily dangerous have symptoms that need proper management through; careful observation of personal triggers & early intervention on onset of said symptoms. So in the words of Lewis Carroll,…”Begin at the beginning,”the King said, very gravely “and go on till you come to the end: then stop.”

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