What is Vertigo? Know its Causes, Symptoms and Treatments

 

Summary: Vertigo is a sensation of spinning, where you feel like your surroundings or yourself are moving when they are not. It can be caused by issues in the inner ear or brain and often leads to balance problems, nausea, and dizziness. Vertigo can be classified into peripheral or central types, depending on the origin of the problem. While not a disease itself, vertigo can be managed with treatments like repositioning maneuvers, vestibular rehabilitation, medications, and lifestyle changes. If you experience vertigo, it is essential to consult a specialist to find the cause and receive proper treatment.

Have you ever felt like the world around you is spinning, even when you are standing still? It is like being on a merry-go-round that won’t stop, making it hard to keep your balance or even stand up straight. This strange feeling is called vertigo. But what exactly is vertigo, why does it happen, and how can you get rid of it? In this blog post, we will explore everything you need to know about vertigo, including its causes, symptoms, and the best ways to treat it.

What is Vertigo?

According to one of the leading ENT doctors in gurgaon at Miracles Apollo Cradle/Spectra, vertigo is not just feeling dizzy or lightheaded. It is the sensation that you or your surroundings are moving or spinning when they are not. This false sense of motion can make you feel like you’re tilting, swaying, or even falling, even though you’re standing perfectly still.

The spinning sensation can last for a few seconds or continue for hours, making it hard to maintain balance, walk straight, or do everyday activities. It can also cause nausea, vomiting, and a feeling of fullness in the ear. It is important to note that vertigo is not a disease itself but a symptom of an underlying issue, usually related to problems in the inner ear or the brain.

Vertigo Types

Vertigo is mainly classified into two types depending on where the problem originates:

1. Peripheral Vertigo: This is the most common type and is caused by issues in the inner ear, which helps control balance. When something goes wrong in this area, it can make you feel like the world is spinning.

• Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): Caused by tiny calcium crystals getting dislodged in the inner ear, leading to short, intense dizziness spells when you move your head.

• Meniere’s Disease: Caused by fluid buildup in the inner ear, resulting in sudden vertigo attacks, hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), and a feeling of fullness in the ear.

• Vestibular Neuritis or Labyrinthitis: Triggered by inflammation of the inner ear or its connecting nerves, often due to a viral infection, leading to sudden, severe vertigo and balance issues.

2. Central Vertigo: This type is related to issues in the brain, particularly the areas that control balance.

• Migraines: Some people experience vertigo before, during, or after a migraine episode.

• Multiple Sclerosis (MS): MS can damage nerves in the brain, affecting balance and causing vertigo.

• Brain Tumors or Stroke: These conditions can disrupt the brain’s balance centers, leading to vertigo symptoms.

Vertigo Symptoms

Vertigo symptoms include:

• Spinning Sensation: The most common symptom is where you feel like you or your surroundings are moving or rotating.

• Balance Problems: Difficulty standing or walking due to a loss of balance.

• Nausea and Vomiting: Often accompanies vertigo, especially during intense episodes.

• Lightheadedness: A feeling of dizziness or faintness, which may occur during or after vertigo attacks.

• Tinnitus: Ringing or buzzing in the ears, particularly in conditions like Meniere’s disease.

• Fullness in the Ear: A sensation of pressure or fullness in the ear, common in inner ear-related vertigo.

• Sweating: Some people experience excessive sweating during vertigo episodes.

If you experience these symptoms, it's important to consult a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Are Vertigo and Dizziness the Same?

No, vertigo and dizziness are not the same, even though people often use the terms interchangeably. It is common to feel confused about the difference because both can make you feel unsteady or off-balance.

Vertigo: Vertigo is the false sensation of movement or spinning. It feels like you or your surroundings are moving even when everything is perfectly still. Conditions like BPPV or Meniere’s Disease can cause intense episodes of vertigo.

Dizziness: Dizziness, on the other hand, is a more general feeling of lightheadedness, unsteadiness, or a sensation of being off-balance, but without the spinning effect. It can be caused by dehydration, low blood pressure, or anxiety.

Knowing the difference can help you get the right diagnosis and treatment. 

Why Does Vertigo Happen?

Vertigo occurs when there is a problem with the signals sent to your brain by your inner ear, eyes, and sensory nerves. These parts of your body work together to help you stay balanced and aware of your surroundings. If one of them malfunctions, your brain receives confusing messages, making you feel like you are spinning or moving when you are not.

Causes of Vertigo in Men

Although vertigo disease can affect anyone, certain factors make men more likely to experience it:

• Head Injuries: Men are more prone to head trauma due to physical activities, sports, or accidents, which can damage the inner ear or brain and lead to vertigo.

• High Blood Pressure and Heart Disease: These conditions, more common in men, can affect blood flow to the brain and cause dizziness and vertigo.

• Alcohol Consumption: Drinking too much alcohol can disturb the fluid balance in the inner ear, leading to temporary vertigo.

• Stress and Anxiety: These can trigger vertigo symptoms, especially in men with high-pressure jobs or busy lifestyles.

Causes of Vertigo in Women

Women are more likely to experience vertigo due to certain unique factors:

• Hormonal Changes: Fluctuations during pregnancy, menstruation, or menopause can affect the inner ear’s balance system.

• Migraines: More common in women and can cause vertigo along with headaches and nausea.

• Vestibular Disorders: Conditions like BPPV are more prevalent in women due to differences in inner ear anatomy.

• Meniere’s Disease: Fluid buildup in the inner ear can cause vertigo episodes, hearing loss, and ringing in the ears.

• Stress and Anxiety: These can trigger dizziness and imbalance.

• Medications: Certain drugs, including birth control pills and hormone replacement therapies, may have side effects that cause vertigo.

Tests for Vertigo

To diagnose the problem, a vertigo doctor may perform the following tests:

• Physical Examination: To check your balance, eye movements, and coordination.

• Dix-Hallpike Maneuver: Moving your head in different positions to see if vertigo symptoms are triggered, commonly used to diagnose BPPV.

• Hearing Tests: To check for hearing loss linked to Meniere’s Disease or other inner ear issues.

• Imaging Tests (MRI or CT Scans): Used if brain-related causes like tumors or stroke are suspected.

• Electronystagmography (ENG) or Videonystagmography (VNG): These tests record eye movements to identify balance problems.

Can Vertigo Be Cured?

Yes, in many cases, vertigo can be treated and managed effectively. The treatment depends on the vertigo causes.

Vertigo Treatments

• Repositioning Maneuvers: Like the Epley Maneuver for BPPV, which a healthcare professional performs to move dislodged crystals in the ear.

• Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT): Exercises that help the brain adjust to the signals causing vertigo.

• Medications: Such as antihistamines, anti-nausea drugs, or anti-anxiety medicines to relieve symptoms.

• Lifestyle Changes: Reducing salt intake for Meniere’s Disease, avoiding bright lights or loud noises, and managing stress.

• Surgery: In rare cases, for structural issues or severe inner ear problems.

Conclusion:

Vertigo can be scary and frustrating, affecting your ability to carry out daily tasks. But with the right diagnosis and treatment, vertigo is often manageable. If you are experiencing repeated episodes of spinning, dizziness, or balance problems, don’t ignore them. Consult an ENT doctor near you at Miracles Healthcare to find out the cause and get the best treatment.

Ready to regain your balance? Book an appointment today and get back to living a balanced life!

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