Vertigo ? Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Vertigo (from the Latin vertere, to turn, and the suffix -igo, a condition, i.e., "a condition of turning about"[1]) is a specific type of dizziness, a major symptom of a balance disorder

Vertigo (from the Latin vertere, to turn, and the suffix -igo, a condition, i.e., "a condition of turning about"[1]) is a specific type of dizziness, a major symptom of a balance disorder. It is the sensation of spinning or swaying while the body is stationary with respect to the surroundings.

There are two types of vertigo: subjective and objective. There is a subjective vertigo when a person has a false sensation of movement. In the case of objective vertigo, the surroundings appear to move past a person''s field of vision.

Vertigo Causes

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common form of vertigo and is characterized by the sensation of motion initiated by sudden head movements or moving the head in a certain direction. This type of vertigo is rarely serious and can be treated.Vertigo, or dizziness, usually results from a disorder in the peripheral vestibular system (i.e., structures of the inner ear). Dizziness also may occur as a result of a disorder in the central vestibular system (i.e., vestibular nerve, brainstem, and cerebellum). In some cases, the cause of vertigo is unknown.

Vertigo Signs and Symptoms

Vertigo, or dizziness, refers to the sensation of spinning (subjective vertigo) or the perception that surrounding objects are moving or spinning (objective vertigo). Some patients describe a feeling of being pulled toward the floor or toward one side of the room.Moving the head, changing position, and turning while lying down often worsen vertigo.

With vestibular disorders, the type and severity of symptoms can vary considerably. Symptoms can be frightening and difficult to describe. People affected by certain symptoms of vestibular disorders may be perceived as inattentive, lazy, overly anxious, or seeking attention. They may have trouble reading or doing simple arithmetic. Functioning in the workplace, going to school, performing routine daily tasks, or just getting out of bed in the morning may be difficult for some people.

Benign positional vertigo tends to affect older people and any sudden movement of the head (usually head turning) can bring on an acute attack without warning. Although episodes tend to last less than a minute, it can be unpleasant and disabling.

As with other causes, this usually follows a viral infection, or is a result of inflammation or damage to the middle ear.

Vertigo Diagnosis

Your GP will diagnose vertigo from a description of the symptoms. An examination of your ears, eye movements and nervous system may be necessary to find out the cause.

If your vertigo is severe or ongoing, it may be necessary to conduct more specific tests. Your GP can carry out some tests in the surgery, such as a provocation test.

Treatment for Vertigo

The best treatment for vertigo is the easiest and quickest one, according to a new American Academy of Neurology guideline.

These maneuvers are called canalith repositioning procedures, or "the Epley maneuver," and require special knowledge and skill.

The guideline says many cases of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo ? an inner ear disorder that''s a common cause of dizziness ? can be treated using a simple series of head and body movements performed by a doctor or therapist while the patient is seated on a bed or table.

Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy

Treatment depends on the diagnosis. A complete medical evaluation is recommended for anyone with vertigo. This can reveal the true cause and suggest one or more solutions based upon treating the underlying disorder.

If the brain cannot rely on the information it receives from the vestibular system, a person''s ability to maintain posture and coordinate balance can become overly dependent on vision or on the information received from the muscles and joints (proprioception).

This can lead to developing new patterns of movement to compensate for the change and to avoid head movements that are apt to create symptoms of dizziness and nausea.

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