Central vertigo associated with migraine

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Central vertigo associated with migraine is the spinning sensation that appears in the context of a strong headache.

The exact cause is unknown, although several triggering factors have been described: stress, some foods, changes of sleeping hours, hormonal changes and smoking.

Nausea, vomits, loss of balance and disturbance of hearing may appear with the headache.

The diagnosis is clinical, through questioning and physical examination with a full neurological examination. Additional tests may be requested to complete the picture: blood tests, auditive evoked potentials, electroencephalogram, CT-scan, lumbar puncture or MRI.

The treatment must be aimed at the triggering factor, as well as relative rest, adequate environment, sedatives, antiemetics, analgesia and / or non steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), triptans (i.e. 5HT1 agonists) and / or ergotamine.

Bibliographic references
  1. Carrie Elizabeth Robertson. Vestibular migraine. UpToDate. Aug 10, 2015.
  2. Furman JM, Marcus DA, Balaban CD. Vestibular migraine: clinical aspects and pathophysiology. Lancet Neurol 2013; 12:706.
  3. Von Brevern M, Neuhauser H. Epidemiological evidence for a link between vertigo and migraine. J Vestib Res 2011; 21:299.
  4. Mark F. Walker, Robert B. Daroff. Mareo y vértigo.Harrison. Principios de Medicina Interna. Volumen 1. 19º Edición. 148:151.
  5. Javier Chacón Martínez , Jorge Alberto Jiménez Antolín, José Antonio Garrido Robres. Mareos y vértigos en urgencias. Manual de protocolos y actuación en urgencias. Hospital Virgen de la Salud, Complejo Hospitalario de Toledo. Tercera edición. 2010. 545:552
  6. Murdin L, Chamberlain F, Cheema S, et al. Motion sickness in migraine and vestibular disorders. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2015; 86:585.
Author
Dr. Oscar Garcia-Esquirol
Copyright
© TeckelMedical 2026

Symptoms

    Spinning sensation


    Difficulty standing up due to unsteadiness


    Involuntary, repeated eye movement


    Headache


    Difficulty coordinating movements

Symptoms to watch out for

Fever (temperature higher than 100.4 ºF)
If it is accompanied by seizures
Double vision
Difficulty talking
Hearing loss
Vomiting

Self-care

Use over-the-counter pain relievers and consult your primary care physician to discuss other treatments.
Use antiemetics if vomiting occurs.
Lie down in a dark, quiet room.
Use good lighting at home.
Sit down immediately when you feel dizzy.