Dr. Yu-Chia Chen Discusses Vestibular Migraines | Media Report on Recurrent Vertigo, Photophobia, and Phonophobia
Sudden spinning sensations, sensitivity to light and noise, yet medical exams show no obvious abnormalities—this may not simply be due to fatigue.
Dr. Yu-Chia Chen, interviewed as a neurologist at Cathay General Hospital, explained that "vestibular migraine" can manifest as recurrent vertigo, instability, photophobia, or phonophobia, and may not always present with a headache during attacks. Diagnosis requires integrating a history of migraines, the duration of attacks, and accompanying symptoms, while also ruling out other causes like benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and Meniere's disease.
Original Reports
Original Date | Media | Original Article |
|---|---|---|
2026/09/02 | udn.com | Are Dizziness Tests All Normal? Watch Out for "Vestibular Migraine" |
2026/09/02 | Liberty Health Net | |
2026/09/03 | udn.com | Health Pavilion / Recurrent Vertigo, Photophobia, and Nausea: Vestibular Migraine At Play |
If vertigo attacks recur, you can keep a record of how long each lasts, whether they are accompanied by a headache or sensitivity to light, and if they are related to specific movements, and bring existing medical reports to your consultation. If sudden symptoms like slurred speech, one-sided weakness, or clear difficulty walking occur, you should seek immediate emergency medical care without waiting for an outpatient appointment.
References | Diagnosis and Treatment of Vestibular Migraine
International Consensus on Diagnosis of Vestibular Migraine
Lempert T, Olesen J, Furman J, et al. Vestibular migraine: Diagnostic criteria (Update). Journal of Vestibular Research. 2022;32(1):1–6.
DOI: 10.3233/VES-201644Co-developed by the Bárány Society and the International Headache Society, this paper explains that diagnosis requires integrating recurrent vertigo, a history of migraines, accompanying symptoms, and the exclusion of other diseases, providing a basis for clinical evaluation.
Read the Full Diagnostic ConsensusPractical Review of Vestibular Migraine Treatment
Smyth D, Britton Z, Murdin L, Arshad Q, Kaski D. Vestibular migraine treatment: a comprehensive practical review. Brain. 2022;145(11):3741–3754.
DOI: 10.1093/brain/awac264This review summarizes research on acute treatment, preventive therapies, vestibular rehabilitation, and lifestyle adjustments. The authors also noted that the overall quality of treatment evidence at the time was still limited, and treatment plans must be customized based on individual symptoms and clinical evaluation.
Read the Full Treatment Review
