Janet Jackson Has Vestibular Migraines

Janet Jackson is back on tour after a "mysterious illness" caused her to cancel several recent concert dates. While many fans speculated the cause of the illness was the flu, too much partying or even pregnancy, the official diagnosis is vestibular migraines.

Jackson's "Rock Witchu" tour was first interrupted when she became ill during a sound check for her September 29 concert at the Bell Center in Montreal. Jackson was rushed to the hospital and later canceled ten concerts across the United States including Philadelphia, Boston, Atlanta and New York City.

According to WebMD, Vestibular migraines are migraines which include episodes of vertigo before and during the migraine. Vestibular refers to the inner ear which controls balance and results in feelings of dizziness. It may cause a spinning sensation, or you my feel like the world is rocking back and forth. Other symptoms include nausea, fainting, abnormal eye movements, hearing loss, and weakness in the arms and legs.

Being a pop star is probably the worst possible profession to have for a person with vestibular migraines. The flashing lights, loud noises, platform shoes, complex set designs and the aerobic dancing would make it nearly impossible for anyone to pull off a concert when suffering with this condition.

The Rock Witchu tour, her first in seven years, features a complex set with a huge U-shaped extension which allows Janet to travel nearly halfway across the stadium floor. The show includes multiple costume changes. There are also multiple pyro and mini-explosions throughout the concert. Not exactly the best place for someone with a headache, let alone someone suffering with vestibular migraines.

There are no specific treatments for vestibular migraines. The only treatment would be to treat the migraines and vertigo separately.

Most people with vestibular migraines are diagnosed in their late teens or early twenties. Jackson has not revealed whether this is a new condition or something she has been dealing with for years.

Janet Jackson says she is now feeling better and has resumed her tour. Her performance at the Verizon Center on Wednesday in Washington, D.C. was full of energy and exploding fireworks. Even though Jackson appeared a little winded, she said it was good to be back.

Janet Jackson hopes to reschedule the canceled concerts as soon as possible.

The following concerts have been postponed or rescheduled:

9/27/08: Palace of Auburn Hills in Detroit, MI (rescheduled to 10/28/08)

9/29/08: Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (new event date TBA)

10/1/08: TD Banknorth Garden in Boston, MA (new event date TBA)

10/2/08: Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, PA (new event date TBA)

10/4/08: Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, NC (new event date TBA)

10/5/08: Philips Arena in Atlanta, GA (rescheduled to 10/19/08)

10/7/08: BankAtlantic Center in Fort Lauderdale, FL (new event date TBA)

10/16/08: Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY (rescheduled to 11/1/08)

Tickets for the original performances will be accepted for the rescheduled dates.

Sources:

WebMD: Janet Jackson's Vestibular Migraines: FAQ by Miranda Hill, Oct. 15, 2008

RollingStone.com, Janet Jackson Opens Rock Witchu Tour With Three Decades of Hits, Video Duets and Pyro

Janetfanclub.com, Janet Jackson resumes tour after bout of vertigo, by Brett Zongker