Top 6 Known Root Causes of Vestibular Migraine

Top 6 Know Root Causes of Vestibular Migraine. Understanding the causes is an important step in developing effective treatments and improving the quality of life for people with this condition.

Determining the underlying cause of vestibular migraines might not be possible. There are many potential factors that can contribute to the condition. However, you can consider keeping a detailed diary to help you identify patterns and potential triggers. Also important to remember to seek medical advice from a specialist. They can perform tests and rule out other conditions that may cause similar symptoms.

In this blog, we will explore the causes known of vestibular migraine.

Genetics

Certain genes may be responsible for the abnormal functioning of the nervous system, which can trigger migraines and associated vestibular symptoms. Several studies have explored the genetic factors that may contribute to the development of vestibular migraines. Here are some examples:

• Family history studies of migraines is a strong predictor of vestibular migraine. Having a family history of migraines or vestibular disorders increases the likelihood of developing vestibular migraines. In fact, research has found that a family history of migraine is one of the strongest predictors of vestibular migraine. For example, a study published in the journal Headache found that having a first-degree relative with migraines was associated with a 2.5-fold increased risk of vestibular migraine.
• Candidate gene studies have explored specific genes that may be involved in the development of vestibular migraines. For example, a study published in the journal Cephalalgia found that a genetic variant in a gene called TRPM8 was associated with an increased risk of vestibular migraine.
• Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have explored the entire genome to identify genetic variations that may be associated with vestibular migraines. For example, a study published in the journal Neurology Genetics found that several genetic variants were associated with vestibular migraine, including variants in genes involved in ion channel function and neurotransmitter release.

Additionally, genetics can influence a person’s susceptibility to specific triggers that can cause vestibular migraines, such as changes in weather, hormonal fluctuations, or certain foods or drinks. For example, some people may be genetically predisposed to having a lower threshold for developing migraines when exposed to certain triggers.

Triggers

Triggers are one of the most common causes of vestibular migraine. These can include stress, lack of sleep, changes in weather or altitude, hormonal fluctuations and certain foods or drinks.

Why triggers can cause vestibular migraines:

• Stress or lack of sleep, can disrupt the balance of chemicals in the brain that interact with pain processing and regulation. This can lead to an increase in the activity of the nervous system, which can trigger a vestibular migraine episode.
• Weather or certain foods, can trigger inflammation in the body, including the blood vessels in the brain. This can cause blood vessels to dilate and become inflamed, which can trigger a vestibular migraine.
• Bright lights or loud noises, can sensitize the nervous system
• Hormonal fluctuations can affect the balance of chemicals in the brain, which can trigger a migraine episode.

Hormones

Hormonal fluctuations in women may trigger vestibular migraines during their menstrual cycle, pregnancy or menopause. Here are some reasons why this could occur:

• Estrogen fluctuations can affect the activity of the nervous system and the release of neurotransmitters. For example, during the menstrual cycle were estrogen levels fluctuate causing an hormonal fluctuation.
• Progesterone withdrawal, another female hormone that during the menstrual cycle drops sharply.
• Hormonal contraceptives, the estrogen and progestin levels can cause hormonal fluctuations that trigger migraines.
• Menopause as estrogen levels drop, some women may experience an increase in the frequency and severity of vestibular migraine episodes.

Overall, hormonal fluctuations and changes can affect the balance of chemicals in the brain. The activity of the nervous system, which can trigger vestibular migraines in susceptible individuals.

Changes in Blood Flow

Research suggests that blood flow changes may trigger migraines and the associated vestibular symptoms. This could be due to changes in blood vessels in the brain or an imbalance in chemicals that regulate blood flow. Here are some reasons why changes in blood flow can cause a migraine:

• Vasoconstriction: Migraines can be triggered by the constriction of blood vessels in the brain, which reduces blood flow and oxygen to the brain.
• Vasodilation: On the other hand, migraines can also be triggered by the dilation of blood vessels in the brain, which increases blood flow and pressure in the brain causing pain and inflammation.
• Disruption of blood-brain barrier, which is a layer of cells that separates the blood from the brain. This disruption can allow inflammatory substances and immune cells to cross the barrier and trigger a migraine episode.
• Neurogenic inflammation: Blood flow changes can also activate sensory nerves in the brain and cause the release of inflammatory substances, such as cytokines, that can trigger a migraine.

Central Nervous System Sensitivity

The central nervous system (CNS) plays a significant role in the development of vestibular migraine. People with vestibular migraine may have a heightened sensitivity to stimuli. This includes sensory information from the inner ear and visual cues. This sensitivity can trigger a vestibular migraine attack due to:

• Hyperexcitability of neurons: People with vestibular migraines may have neurons that are more excitable or sensitive. This means that normal stimuli that would not usually trigger a migraine can trigger one in those with vestibular migraines.
• Abnormal sensory processing: sensory processing in the brain can be altered, resulting in hypersensitivity to sensory stimuli, such as light, sound, and motion.
• Altered pain processing: People with vestibular migraines may have altered pain processing in the brain, making them more sensitive to pain and discomfort. This can cause a vestibular migraine episode to be more severe or longer-lasting than in those without the condition.
• Cortical spreading depression: Cortical spreading depression (CSD) is a wave of neuronal activity that spreads across the brain and is thought to be involved in the pathophysiology of migraines. In vestibular migraines, CSD can trigger changes in sensory processing and cause a migraine episode.

Inner Ear Dysfunction

The vestibular system is located in the inner ear, which contains fluid-filled canals that are responsible for detecting changes in head movement and positioning. If these canals become inflamed or irritated, they can send incorrect signals to the brain. Dysfunction of the inner ear can lead to impaired sensory processing, resulting in hypersensitivity to certain stimuli and triggering a vestibular migraine episode.

Last thought is to remind you to keep a track or your symptoms to evaluate your triggers. A big component to find relief is being able to manage what is under your control.