A recent article in HEADACHE (June 2011)"Migraine and Vestibular Symptoms-Identifying Clinical Features That Predict "Vestibular Migraine" looks at patients who have an overlap of vestibular symptoms, such as lightheadedness, unsteadiness, vertigo, balance disturbance and headache.
The study showed just under half of the patients had onset of pain and vestibular symptoms together. This is frequently seen in patients withcraniomandibular neuromuscular disorders and usually responds extremely well to a neuromuscular orthotic, use of ULF TENS, Trigger point injections, spray and stretch elimination of TP's and SPG (Sphenopalatine Ganglion) Blocks.
NEUROMUSCULAR DENTISTRY SHOULD PROBABLY BE A FIRST LINE TREATMENT FOR PATIENTS EXPERIENCING VESTIBULAR SYMPTOMS AND HEADACHE OR MIGRAINE AFTER ORGANIC DISEASE IS RULED OUT.
TMJ DISORDERS HAVE LONG BEEN CALLED "THE GREAT IMPOSTER" because they mimic so many other disorders. All patients with vestibular symptoms and head or neck pain shoud read "SUFFER NO MORE: DEALING WITH THE GREAT IMPOSTER" IN SLEEP AND HEALTH JOURNAL.
http://www.sleepandhealth.com/story/suffer-no-more-dealing-great-impostor
The article's conclusions are not diagnostic at all. They cover episodic, acute onset and chronic disorders. The authors stated "Vestibular migraine is a heterogeneous condition with varying symptomatology. As with migraine itself, symptomatic expression varies along a spectrum that extends from episodic to chronic. As the histories of many of the patients we evaluated would not meet current International Classification of Headache Disorders criteria, we suggest that new criteria which account for the heterogeneity and natural history of the disorder may be required to adequately diagnose and treat those who suffer from VM"
Headache. 2011 Jun 7. doi: 10.1111/j.1526-4610.2011.01934.x. [Epub ahead of print]
Migraine and Vestibular Symptoms-Identifying Clinical Features That Predict "Vestibular Migraine"
Cohen JM, Bigal ME, Newman LC.
Source
From Roosevelt Hospital, Headache Institute, New York, NY, USA (J.M. Cohen and L.C. Newman); Merck, Sharp & Dohme Corp., Whitehouse Station, NJ, USA (M.E. Bigal).
Abstract
Background.- Migraine and symptoms that may suggest a vestibular disorder (referred to herein broadly as vestibular symptoms-VS) often co-exist. In part due to a lack of standardized diagnostic criteria, this relationship remains unknown to many physicians. Objective.- To determine common clinical features that may be associated with "vestibular migraine" (VM). Methods.- We retrospectively reviewed charts of patients diagnosed with VM at a headache center. In this group we recorded certain demographic and clinical features related to their disorder, including the most common triggers of the VS and the specific characteristics of the symptoms that suggested VM. Results.- Our sample consisted of 147 patients (68% women, mean age = 45 years, 39% with aura). Migraine onset preceded the onset of VS by a mean of 8 years. A total of 62 patients (42%) had gradual onset of VS, while in 48 (33%) symptoms began suddenly. The most commonly reported symptoms that led to the diagnosis of VM were: unsteadiness (134; 91%), balance disturbance (120; 82%), "light-headedness" (113; 77%), and vertigo (84; 57%). VS and headache occurred concomitantly in 48% of patients. A total of 67 (47%) patients had VS that were chronic from onset, 29 (21%) had episodic symptoms, and in 46 (32%) the VS had evolved from episodic to chronic (with an average duration of 7.04 years required for this evolution to occur). Conclusions.- Vestibular migraine is a heterogeneous condition with varying symptomatology. As with migraine itself, symptomatic expression varies along a spectrum that extends from episodic to chronic. As the histories of many of the patients we evaluated would not meet current International Classification of Headache Disorders criteria, we suggest that new criteria which account for the heterogeneity and natural history of the disorder may be required to adequately diagnose and treat those who suffer from VM.
© 2011 American Headache Society.
PMID:
21649658
[PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
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