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Headache and Dizziness: How to Differentiate Vestibular Migraine from Other Conditions

  • Uncommon and/or Unusual Headaches and Syndromes (J Ailani, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Headache and dizziness are two of the most common symptoms prompting medical evaluation and may be seen in many primary and secondary headache and dizziness syndromes. Many of these disease processes share common characteristics making determination of the diagnosis extremely challenging. As more is understood about the concurrence of these symptoms, new diagnostic considerations have emerged, and the beta version of the latest edition of the International Classification of Headache Disorders describes a new entity termed vestibular migraine that may affect many patients presenting with headache and dizziness. This article examines the epidemiology of headache and dizziness, describes the presenting features of patients with conditions which often express these two symptoms, discusses recommendations for evaluation and testing for these patients, and serves to aid in the differentiation between vestibular migraine and other potential diagnoses.

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Joshua M. Cohen and Carlos Escasena each declare no potential conflicts of interest.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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  1. The Headache Institute and Adolescent Headache Center, Mount Sinai Roosevelt Hospital, 425 W. 59th St, Suite 4A, New York, NY, 10019, USA

    Joshua M. Cohen & Carlos A. Escasena

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  1. Joshua M. Cohen
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Correspondence to Joshua M. Cohen.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Uncommon and/or Unusual Headaches and Syndromes

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Cohen, J.M., Escasena, C.A. Headache and Dizziness: How to Differentiate Vestibular Migraine from Other Conditions. Curr Pain Headache Rep 19, 31 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-015-0502-3

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