Vertigo

Vertigo

Vertigo is the sensation that you or your surroundings are spinning or moving when there is no actual movement. It is not a disease itself but a symptom of various conditions affecting the inner ear, brain, or sensory pathways. Vertigo can be unsettling and interfere with balance, making it difficult to stand, walk, or even sit without feeling dizzy.

Types of Vertigo:

Peripheral Vertigo: The most common type, caused by issues in the inner ear. Examples include:

• Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): Triggered by specific head movements, causing brief episodes of dizziness.
• Ménière's Disease: A disorder of the inner ear, leading to vertigo, hearing loss, and tinnitus (ringing in the ears).
• Vestibular Neuritis: Inflammation of the vestibular nerve, causing sudden and severe vertigo.

Causes of Vertigo:

• Inner ear disorders : Such as BPPV or Ménière's disease.
• Head or neck injuries : Trauma to the head or neck can damage the vestibular system, leading to vertigo.
• Medications: Certain drugs, such as antibiotics or diuretics, can cause vertigo as a side effect.
• Infections : Viral infections like vestibular neuritis can inflame the inner ear or vestibular nerve.
• Migraines : Migraine headaches can sometimes cause vertigo as a symptom.

Symptoms of Vertigo:

• Dizziness : A spinning or whirling sensation, often triggered by moving the head.
• Loss of balance : Difficulty walking or standing due to disorientation.
• Nausea or vomiting : Caused by the sensation of spinning or instability.
• Nystagmus : Involuntary eye movements, often associated with dizziness.
• Sweating and headaches.

Diagnosing Vertigo:

• Physical exam: A doctor may perform balance and coordination tests or observe eye movements to assess vertigo.
• Dix-Hallpike test: This test involves moving the patient's head into certain positions to determine if BPPV is the cause.
• Hearing tests: To rule out inner ear problems.
• MRI or CT scan: To detect any underlying brain conditions causing central vertigo.

Treatment of Vertigo:

Medications:

• Antihistamines : Such as meclizine, to reduce dizziness.
• Antiemetics: To help with nausea.
• Dementia Benzodiazepines: Sometimes prescribed for severe cases to reduce vertigo symptoms.

Physical Therapy:

• Vestibular rehabilitation: Exercises designed to help retrain the brain to manage dizziness and improve balance.
• Epley maneuver: A series of head movements used to treat BPPV by repositioning dislodged ear crystals that are causing vertigo.