Vestibular Migraine
Everything you need to know about vestibular migraine — why you're dizzy without a headache, what triggers it, and how to take control. Written for humans, not textbooks.
Free • 1 minute • Works for 85% of people
Quick Facts
- Second most common cause of dizziness
- 85% improve with proper treatment
- Bimodal presentation with hormonal association
You've got this.
In 2 minutes, you'll know if these exercises can help. No experience needed.
Try a 2-min exerciseFeeling awful right now?
Vestibular migraine is scary and disorienting, but it's not dangerous. 85% of people improve significantly with proper treatment. You're not going crazy — this is real.
What to do right now:
- 1Find a dark, quiet room — light and sound make it worse
- 2Lie down and close your eyes
- 3Take your acute migraine medication if you have one
- 4Small sips of water if you're not too nauseous
- 5Avoid screens — they trigger and prolong symptoms
- 6This will pass — episodes don't last forever
This usually peaks within Episodes typically last minutes to hours, sometimes up to 72 hours in severe cases, then steadily improves.
Quick Summary
- It's a migraine that affects your balance system instead of (or along with) causing head pain
- You can have vestibular migraine WITHOUT a headache — that's why it's confusing
- Triggers are often the same as regular migraines: stress, sleep, food, hormones
- It's very treatable — same medications that work for regular migraines often help
85% of people improve with treatment. Once you understand your triggers, you can take back control.
Common Questions
Questions we hear from people just like you
Yes! This is what confuses so many people (and some doctors). About 30% of vestibular migraine episodes happen without any headache at all. You might just have dizziness, nausea, or visual weirdness. If you have a history of ANY type of migraine and now get unexplained vertigo episodes, vestibular migraine is very likely.
Recommended Exercises
View all →Vestibular Adaptation Training
Advanced vestibular training program combining progressive challenges to improve balance, gaze stability, and vestibular system adaptation through evidence-based exercises.
Gaze Stabilization Exercise
Master fundamental gaze stabilization exercises to maintain clear vision during movement. Evidence-based techniques for reducing dizziness and improving visual stability in daily activities.
Vestibular Habituation Exercises
Evidence-based vestibular habituation exercises designed to reduce movement sensitivity and improve balance through systematic progression. Intermediate-level training program.
Ready when you are
When you're feeling a bit steadier, specific exercises can help your brain adapt and reduce your symptoms. We'll guide you through them step by step — no experience needed.
Start exercisesVestibular migraine is the second most common cause of dizziness, affecting around 3% of the general population. It has a bimodal presentation that may be associated with hormonal components in women.
Key Symptoms
Primary Symptoms
- •Vertigo or dizziness lasting minutes to days
- •Balance problems
- •Nausea and motion sensitivity
- •Visual disturbances
- •Head pressure or pain (not always present)
Associated Features
- •Sensitivity to light and noise
- •Neck stiffness
- •Anxiety about symptoms
- •Brain fog or confusion
- •Fatigue
Types and Presentations
Definite Vestibular Migraine
Meets strict diagnostic criteria with clear episodes of vertigo related to migraine symptoms.
- •At least 5 episodes lasting 5 min to 72 hours
- •Current or past history of migraine
- •One or more migraine features with at least 50% of episodes
- •Not better explained by another diagnosis
Probable Vestibular Migraine
Only partially meets diagnostic criteria but shows strong clinical correlation.
- •Fewer than 5 episodes
- •Doesn't fully meet migraine criteria
- •May lack typical migraine features
- •Still responds to migraine treatment
Common Triggers
Environmental
External factors that can provoke episodes
- •Bright or flickering lights
- •Loud noises
- •Strong smells
- •Weather changes
Lifestyle
Daily habits and routines that may trigger symptoms
- •Sleep disruption
- •Stress
- •Skipped meals
- •Dehydration
Motion-Related
Activities involving movement that can provoke symptoms
- •Car travel
- •Scrolling on devices
- •Rapid head movements
- •Crowded visual environments
Warning Signs
Seek Immediate Medical Care If You Experience:
- ⚠Sudden severe vertigo with hearing loss
- ⚠Double vision or vision loss
- ⚠Severe headache unlike previous ones
- ⚠Difficulty speaking or swallowing
- ⚠Weakness in arms or legs
- ⚠Loss of consciousness
- ⚠First episode of vertigo after age 50
- ⚠Vertigo with fever or neurological symptoms
Treatment Timeline
Initial Diagnosis
Comprehensive evaluation and treatment planning
- •Detailed medical history
- •Vestibular testing
- •Trigger identification
First 4-6 Weeks
Beginning treatment and lifestyle modifications
- •Starting preventive medications
- •Learning vestibular exercises
- •Implementing trigger avoidance
2-3 Months
Treatment optimization
- •Medication adjustments
- •Advanced exercises
- •Improved symptom control
6-12 Months
Long-term management
- •Stable treatment plan
- •Regular monitoring
- •Ongoing prevention strategies
Clinical Statistics
Prevention Strategies
Lifestyle Management
Regular routines help prevent episodes
Trigger Avoidance
Identifying and managing personal triggers
Stress Management
Stress can worsen symptoms and trigger episodes
Exercise Program
Regular vestibular exercises can improve stability
Care Team
Neurologist
Areas of Expertise:
- •Diagnosis confirmation
- •Medication management
- •Treatment planning
Vestibular Therapist
Areas of Expertise:
- •Vestibular training
- •Balance training
- •Exercise progression
ENT Specialist
Areas of Expertise:
- •Rule out other causes
- •Inner ear assessment
- •Hearing evaluation
Struggling to stay consistent?
We'll send you a gentle reminder each week with exercises for vestibular migraine — just enough to keep you on track.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Vestibular migraine is the second most common cause of dizziness, affecting around 3% of the general population. It has a bimodal presentation that may be associated with hormonal components in women.
Key Symptoms
Primary Symptoms
- •Vertigo or dizziness lasting minutes to days
- •Balance problems
- •Nausea and motion sensitivity
- •Visual disturbances
- •Head pressure or pain (not always present)
Associated Features
- •Sensitivity to light and noise
- •Neck stiffness
- •Anxiety about symptoms
- •Brain fog or confusion
- •Fatigue
Types and Presentations
Definite Vestibular Migraine
Meets strict diagnostic criteria with clear episodes of vertigo related to migraine symptoms.
- •At least 5 episodes lasting 5 min to 72 hours
- •Current or past history of migraine
- •One or more migraine features with at least 50% of episodes
- •Not better explained by another diagnosis
Probable Vestibular Migraine
Only partially meets diagnostic criteria but shows strong clinical correlation.
- •Fewer than 5 episodes
- •Doesn't fully meet migraine criteria
- •May lack typical migraine features
- •Still responds to migraine treatment
Common Triggers
Environmental
External factors that can provoke episodes
- •Bright or flickering lights
- •Loud noises
- •Strong smells
- •Weather changes
Lifestyle
Daily habits and routines that may trigger symptoms
- •Sleep disruption
- •Stress
- •Skipped meals
- •Dehydration
Motion-Related
Activities involving movement that can provoke symptoms
- •Car travel
- •Scrolling on devices
- •Rapid head movements
- •Crowded visual environments
Warning Signs
Seek Immediate Medical Care If You Experience:
- ⚠Sudden severe vertigo with hearing loss
- ⚠Double vision or vision loss
- ⚠Severe headache unlike previous ones
- ⚠Difficulty speaking or swallowing
- ⚠Weakness in arms or legs
- ⚠Loss of consciousness
- ⚠First episode of vertigo after age 50
- ⚠Vertigo with fever or neurological symptoms
Treatment Timeline
Initial Diagnosis
Comprehensive evaluation and treatment planning
- •Detailed medical history
- •Vestibular testing
- •Trigger identification
First 4-6 Weeks
Beginning treatment and lifestyle modifications
- •Starting preventive medications
- •Learning vestibular exercises
- •Implementing trigger avoidance
2-3 Months
Treatment optimization
- •Medication adjustments
- •Advanced exercises
- •Improved symptom control
6-12 Months
Long-term management
- •Stable treatment plan
- •Regular monitoring
- •Ongoing prevention strategies
Clinical Statistics
Prevention Strategies
Lifestyle Management
Regular routines help prevent episodes
Trigger Avoidance
Identifying and managing personal triggers
Stress Management
Stress can worsen symptoms and trigger episodes
Exercise Program
Regular vestibular exercises can improve stability
Care Team
Neurologist
Areas of Expertise:
- •Diagnosis confirmation
- •Medication management
- •Treatment planning
Vestibular Therapist
Areas of Expertise:
- •Vestibular training
- •Balance training
- •Exercise progression
ENT Specialist
Areas of Expertise:
- •Rule out other causes
- •Inner ear assessment
- •Hearing evaluation
Struggling to stay consistent?
We'll send you a gentle reminder each week with exercises for vestibular migraine — just enough to keep you on track.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.