Vestibular Migraine Treatment in Ottawa

Unlike typical migraine attacks that feature prominent head pain, vestibular migraine may present with:

• spinning sensation (true vertigo)

• rocking or swaying imbalance

• motion sensitivity

• lightheadedness

• visual motion intolerance

• nausea

• sensitivity to light or sound

Headache may be mild — or even absent — during some attacks.

Vestibular migraine reflects dysfunction in the brain–inner ear network that integrates balance, visual input, and spatial orientation.

It is one of the most common causes of recurrent spontaneous vertigo.

At the Ottawa Headache Centre we approach all presentations systematically and we use the ICHD-3 criteria to diagnose vestibular migraine.

Vestibular migraine is suspected when people have attacks with the following characteristics:

How common is vestibular migraine?

Vestibular migraine is frequently underrecognized and it may be among the top 2 causes of recurrent vertigo attacks.

Vestibular migraine is more common in women, often associated with a personal or family history of migraine, and frequently misdiagnosed as:

• BPPV

• Ménière’s disease

• Anxiety

• Persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD)

Correctly diagnosing vestibular migraine matters because treatment is different.

At the Ottawa Headache Centre we systematically approach recurrent vestibular symptoms to manage vestibular migraine in four steps:

Managing vestibular migraine begins at arriving at an accurate diagnosis.

Once vestibular migraine is diagnosed, its treatment mirrors migraine biology with additional vestibular-specific considerations.

At the Ottawa Headache Centre we manage vestibular migraine with these three considerations:

When to seek urgent medical care (call 911)

Sudden vestibular symptoms can be caused by stroke. Seek urgent medical attention if you experience:

• A new focal neurological deficit (i.e., paralysis, sensation loss, speech or language difficulty)

• A sudden instantaneously peaking "worst headache ever"

• Continuous vertigo with an inability to walk

• New hearing loss

Next steps

Vestibular migraine is treatable. With proper diagnosis and tailored therapy:

• Attack frequency can be reduced

• Severity can improve

• Motion sensitivity can diminish

• Quality of life can significantly improve

Early diagnosis prevents years of unnecessary testing and misdirected treatment.

Whether you are seeking a first-time diagnosis or advanced relief, our specialized pathways are designed to get you the right care, faster.

New to the clinic?

Learn how to get referred and how to prepare for your first specialist consultation to ensure an accurate diagnosis.

Explore advanced prevention

If your auras are frequent or disabling, lifestyle changes alone may not be enough. Explore our specialized medical programs:

• Migraine preventive treatment program

• Botox® for chronic migraine program

• CGRP antagonists program

Disclaimer

This material is provided for educational purposes and does not replace independent clinical judgment or institutional protocols. Management decisions remain the responsibility of the treating clinician.