Vertigo is characterized by a sense of spinning and dizziness. Vertigo is a symptom of a variety of medical problems. When there is a problem with the inner ear, brain, or sensory nerve route, this can occur.
Dizziness, including vertigo, can occur at any age, but it is more frequent in persons aged 65 and up.
People can have vertigo for a short period of time or for a lengthy period of time. It can happen during pregnancy or as a side effect of an ear infection. People who have an inner ear condition, such as Ménière's disease, may have vertigo.
Continue reading to learn more about vertigo, including its many causes, treatments, and some helpful exercises.
WHAT EXACTLY IS VERTIGO?
Vertigo is a typical experience of vertigo caused by spinning. A person may experience the sensation that the room or surroundings are spinning in circles around them. The phrase is frequently used to indicate a fear of heights, although this is incorrect.
Vertigo can occur when a person stares down from a great height, although the term vertigo usually refers to any brief or ongoing spells of dizziness caused by inner ear or brain issues.
Vertigo is not a disease, but rather a symptom of another disorder. Vertigo can be caused by a variety of situations.
THE TYPES OF VERTIGO
There are two types of vertigo:
- Peripheral vertigo: This occurs when there is an issue with the inner ear.
- Central vertigo: This happens when there is a problem with the brain. Infections, brain tumors, traumatic brain damage, and stroke are all possible causes.
VERTIGO VS DIZZINESS
While both dizziness and vertigo are signs of a balance disorder, they are not the same. Dizziness is characterized by an overall sense of being unbalanced. Vertigo is characterized by the sense that you are moving or that your surroundings are whirling.
CAUSES OF VERTIGO
1. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV): This is the most common cause of vertigo, and it causes a strong, transient sensation of spinning or movement. These episodes are caused by an abrupt change in head movement, such as a blow to the head.
2. Medications: Certain drugs can produce vertigo, as well as dizziness, hearing loss, and tinnitus, or ringing in the ears.
3. Infection: Vestibular neuritis or labyrinthitis, a viral infection of the vestibular nerve, can produce severe, continuous vertigo.
4. Injury to the head or neck: Vertigo is a typical symptom following a traumatic injury to the head or neck, especially if the vestibular system is damaged.
5. Meniere's disease: When too much fluid accumulates in the inner ear, it can cause brief bouts of vertigo that linger for several hours.
6. Migraine: Migraine-induced vertigo can last anywhere from minutes to hours.
SYMPTOMS OF VERTIGO
Dizziness is one of the most prevalent symptoms of vertigo, and it usually worsens with head movement. Patients usually describe it as a spinning sensation, with the room or items around them appearing to move.
Other vertigo symptoms include:
- In your ears, you may experience ringing or buzzing.
- Loss of hearing
- Uncontrollable eye motions
- Loss of stability
- Increased perspiration
- Nausea.
- Vomiting.
- Headache.
VERTIGO DIAGNOSIS
Your healthcare physician will examine you and ask you questions about your symptoms. They may also advise you to undergo one or more tests to confirm your diagnosis.
The tests may include:
Fukuda-Unterberger's test: You'll be instructed to march in place for 30 seconds while closing your eyes. If you spin or lean to one side, you may have an issue with your inner ear labyrinth. This could cause vertigo.
Vestibular test battery: This involves a variety of tests to aid in the diagnosis of an inner ear condition. Goggles are worn over the eyes to monitor eye movement reactions as you move your eyes to follow a target, move your head and body, and even after putting warm and chilly water into your ear canal.
Romberg's test: You will be requested to close your eyes and stand with your feet together and your arms at your sides for this evaluation. If you feel unstable or shaky, you may have a problem with your central nervous system.
Head impulse test: Your provider will gently move your head to each side as you focus on a stationary object (such as a place on the wall or your provider's nose) for this test. The physician will examine how well your inner ear balance system is operating to manage your eye movements while your head is moving.
In addition to the tests listed above, your doctor may request radiographs such as; CT (computed tomography) scans, and Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
VERTIGO TREATMENTS
The best vertigo treatment for you is determined by a number of factors, including the underlying cause. Among the most well-known vertigo remedies are:
- Medication: The underlying cause of your vertigo can be treated to help alleviate symptoms. For example, if vertigo is caused by an infection, your doctor can give medications. Steroids can aid in the reduction of inflammation. Other vertigo symptoms, such as nausea or motion sickness, can also be treated with medication.
- Canalith repositioning procedure (CRP): Canalith repositioning motions help shift calcium deposits into an inner ear chamber where they will be absorbed by your body if you have BPPV.
- Vestibular rehabilitation: If your vertigo is caused by an inner ear condition, this form of physical treatment may help alleviate your symptoms. Vestibular rehabilitation works to develop your other senses so that they can compensate for vertigo attacks.
- Surgery: Surgery may be required if vertigo is caused by a major underlying condition, such as a brain tumor or neck injury.
HOME REMEDIES FOR VERTIGO
There is insufficient evidence to support the use of alternative therapies to treat vertigo. Some folks, however, take herbal supplements to alleviate their symptoms. Herbal vertigo therapies that are popular include:
- Ginger root.
- Cayenne pepper.
- Gongjin-dan.
- Turmeric.
- Ginkgo biloba
Before incorporating any herbal supplements into your diet, consult with your healthcare physician. They can assist you in incorporating them into your regimen in a safe manner.
For BPPV, use the Epley technique
The Epley maneuver can help some people suffering from BPPV-related vertigo.
Its goal is to transport calcium carbonate particles from the semicircular canals to the vestibule's otolith organs, where they are less likely to produce symptoms in the inner ear.
For BPPV of the left inner ear:
1. Place a pillow behind the body where the shoulders will be while lying down and sit on a bed.
2. Turn your head 45 degrees to the left.
3. Keeping the head in place, rest on your back with your shoulders on the pillow and your head slightly tilted back and touching the bed. Hold the position for 30 seconds.
4. Rotate the head 90 degrees to the right and hold for 30 seconds.
5. Turn the torso and head 90 degrees to the right in their current positions. Hold the position for 30 seconds.
6. Sit up slowly and lower your legs on the right side of the bed.
7. Hold for a few minutes to let the inner ear to adjust.
VERTIGO IN PRREGNANCY
During pregnancy, nausea and dizziness are common issues. Hormonal changes appear to have a role because they influence the properties of bodily fluid and cause blood vessels to relax and widen.
These modifications enhance blood flow to the developing fetus, but they also cause blood in the veins to return slowly to the rest of the body. As a result, a person's blood pressure is lower than usual, resulting in less blood flow to the brain. This can result in momentary dizziness.
Changes in the fluid properties of the inner ear can cause symptoms such as:
- vertigo.
- Instability accompanied with a loss of balance
- Tinnitus and hearing problems
- a sense of fullness in the ear
Dizziness can also be caused by low blood sugar levels during pregnancy. Anemic people may be more prone to dizziness than others.
Changes in the inner ear are caused by hormonal changes during pregnancy. These can result in problems with balance as well as nausea and dizziness. Pregnancy-related changes in body weight and posture may also contribute to balance issues.
IS VERTIGO HEREDITARY?
Vertigo can be inherited in some situations. Hereditary vertigo, also known as familial benign recurrent vertigo, is a type of migrainous vertigo since it is frequently related with migraine headaches.
SUMMARY
Many things can cause vertigo, including infections, migraines, injuries, and a variety of other medical disorders.
The most effective strategy to reduce discomfort and give long-term relief is to treat the underlying cause of your vertigo. There are also other home cures, exercises, and pharmaceuticals that may be helpful.
If you have vertigo, it is advisable to consult a doctor to establish the cause and develop a treatment plan that works for you.