What is vertigo? – Overview
According to the Harvard Medical School, the proper definition of vertigo is a sensation of dizziness and disorientation that can make it feel like the environment around you is spinning in circles. It can cause feelings of nausea, lightheadedness, and unsteadiness. Vertigo isn’t a disease in itself, but rather a symptom of various conditions. Your sense of balance is off and will lead to a loss of balance and falling.
This has become an increasingly common cause of older people having head injury and neck injury, which ends up causing death. Vertigo attacks usually have common causes include inner ear infections, head injuries, migraines, and certain medications. It can also be caused by an underlying medical condition such as Meniere’s disease or multiple sclerosis.
Having vertigo symptoms can be very disturbing, especially when you don’t know what’s causing them. You might be debilitated from the double vision and constant feeling of falling over. If this is happening, you must limit your daily activities and absolutely should not be operating heavy machinery. However, there are some things you can do to help reduce the effects. These include avoiding certain foods, keeping your head straight, and using a pillow to help you sleep.
Peripheral vertigo
Vertigo is a sensation of being unsteady that can range from fleeting moments to extended hours. Its root causes may vary, but in certain cases vertigo can signal a life-threatening illness.
Vertigo is classified into two types: peripheral and central. Peripheral vertigo is the most common type. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, sweating, and changes in blood pressure.
The most prevalent type of peripheral vertigo is called benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), which is caused by otoliths shifting out of place in the inner ear. Consequently, a person affected by BPPV may suddenly feel dizziness that can last for several seconds.
Another form of peripheral vertigo is vestibular neuronitis. Patients with this condition typically experience intense rotation and a tendency to veer toward the affected side. In addition, patients can also experience tinnitus and hearing loss.
Labyrinthitis
Labyrinthitis is an interior ear virus that disrupts the delicate formation located inside of the ear, called the labyrinth. Generally, it is brought about by a viral onslaught and will settle without any medicative intervention. Occasionally, if it is caused by a bacteria attack, antibiotics may be ordained. Indicators of labyrinthitis include lightheadedness, spinning sensation, nausea, disgorgement and decreased hearing.
If you experience any hearing loss due to labyrinthitis, your GP may refer you to an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist or an audiovestibular physician who specialises in hearing and balance disorders. You may need emergency treatment to restore your hearing if it has been affected by the condition. Treatment for labyrinthitis can also include medications such as antihistamines or corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and help with symptoms such as dizziness or vertigo.
Source: my.clevelandclinic.org
Vestibular neuronitis
Vestibular neuronitis is a swelling of the vestibular nerve, one of the senses in your ear that helps you keep equilibrium. Normally this is caused by an infectious virus and can trigger serious signs such as giddiness, vertigo, feeling sick, and throwing up. Thankfully these indications often improve over a few weeks without treatment. Still, if your symptoms are intense it may be beneficial to relax in bed until they start to abate.
In the event that your signs don’t begin to improve after seven days or acquire more awful, it’s essential to visit your PCP for further counsel. You may find that your equilibrium is significantly influenced if you move quickly or switch positions all of a sudden. Now and again, vestibular neuronitis can bring about long haul parity issues and other confusions. Subsequently, it’s pivotal to look for clinical help as ahead of schedule as could be expected under the circumstances on the off chance that you encounter any of the related indications.
Source: nhsinform.scot
Perilymphatic fistula
A perilymphatic fistula is a disorder in which there is a leakage of fluid between the ear’s middle and inner parts. This can result in dizziness and hearing impairment, either chronic or short-term. Surgery is occasionally advised for individuals facing this condition.
Perilymphatic fistulas can occur for a variety of reasons. They can occur after trauma, including head injury or childbirth. This condition can be difficult to diagnose, so it is important to have a full medical history. If you suspect you have a fistula, you can ask your doctor to perform an MRI or CT scan.
If the results indicate a perilymphatic fistula, you may be prescribed bed rest and anti-dizziness medications. Other tests may be ordered to rule out other causes of dizziness. You can also be referred to an ENT specialist for further investigation.
Dietary supplements
Fortunately, there are some dietary supplements for vertigo symptoms that may help you. However, you should talk to your doctor before making any dietary changes. Getting treatment from a vertigo expert is the best way to get long-term relief.
A recent study found that vitamin D and calcium supplementation can help reduce the recurrence of vertigo. The combination of these nutrients can also help improve bone health.
Vitamin D
is important for calcium metabolism. It has been shown to decrease fractures that occur in people who fall. Calcium can also be helpful for patients suffering from benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.
Other dietary supplements for vertigo include ginger, L-lysine, and magnesium. These nutrients can be used in conjunction with conventional medicines to treat vestibular disorders.
Vitamin B12
Another vitamin, B12, may help with vertigo. Vitamin B12 works to boost blood flow to the brain. Deficiency in this vitamin can result in neurological problems.
Treatments
The Epley Maneuver
The Epley maneuver is a technique used to treat vertigo, which is caused by fragments of calcium carbonate crystals in the inner ear. A knowledgeable healthcare provider will examine you to see if there are any abnormal eye movements. These involuntary eye movements will inform the healthcare provider on which ear canal the crystals have become dislodged in. It involves performing four separate head movements that move these fragments away from the sensitive areas of the inner ear, thus relieving symptoms. Each head position should be held for at least 30 seconds and you may experience some vertigo during the movements.
The good news is that your symptoms should improve shortly after the Epley maneuver is performed, although it may take up to two weeks for a complete recovery from the constant sensation of motion you are experiencing. If you don’t notice any improvement after four weeks, it’s important to return to your GP as soon as possible. Unfortunately, the Epley maneuver isn’t usually a long-term cure and may need to be repeated in order to keep symptoms under control.
Source: nhsinform.scot
Brandt-Daroff exercises
The Brandt-Daroff exercises are a series of movements that can be done at home to help alleviate the symptoms of vertigo. These exercises are often recommended when the Epley manoeuvre is not suitable, such as in cases where there are neck or back problems. It is important to learn how to do these exercises correctly from your GP before attempting them. The exercises should be repeated three or four times a day for two days in a row and can provide relief from vertigo symptoms for up to two weeks.
These exercises involve lying on one side with your head turned 45 degrees away from the affected ear and then quickly turning onto the other side so that you are facing down. You then remain in this position for 30 seconds before returning to the starting position and repeating on the other side. This process should be repeated several times until you have completed 3 sets of 10 repetitions on each side. Doing these exercises regularly can help reduce dizziness and nausea associated with vertigo, providing much needed relief from these uncomfortable symptoms.
Treatment for vertigo varies depending on the underlying root. In certain cases, drugs can be recommended to decrease signs such as queasiness or lightheadedness. Different cures may incorporate physical therapy activities to aid enhance the balance organ and coordination, vestibular rehabilitation to help train the brain to recognize pointers from the inner ear, or lifestyle changes such as dodging alcohol or caffeine intake. If vertigo is brought about by an existing medical issue, treating that condition may also help reduce indications of vertigo. In some cases, medications may be prescribed to reduce symptoms such as nausea or dizziness. Other treatments may include physical therapist exercises to help improve the balance organ and coordination, vestibular rehabilitation to help retrain the brain to recognize signals from the inner ear, or lifestyle changes such as avoiding alcohol or caffeine consumption. If vertigo is caused by an underlying medical condition, treating that condition may also help reduce symptoms of vertigo.
Source: my.clevelandclinic.org
Vertigo is an unpleasant sensation that may be caused by a wide variety of conditions. While some symptoms can be treated on their own, others may require medication or surgery. Depending on the severity of the condition, the most effective way to treat it is to find and treat the underlying cause.
Acute vestibular neuronitis is the most common type of vertigo, but there are other conditions that may also cause dizziness. The condition can be treated by taking certain medications or by doing physical therapy.
If the vertigo symptoms continue for more than a few days, you should consider visiting an ENT (ear, nose and throat) specialist. They will be able to determine the cause and recommend the best treatment plan. Some of the most common causes are Meniere’s Disease and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.
Source: nhsinform.scot