Vertigo
Vertigo is a
sensation that the environment around you is spinning in circles. It can make
you feel dizzy and off-balance.
SYMPTOMS
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Dizziness.
- Balance issues.
- Hearing loss in
one or both ears.
- Tinnitus
- Headaches.
- Motion sickness.
- A feeling of
fullness in your ear.
- Nystagmus
Types of vertigo
Peripheral
vertigo is the most common type. It happens when there’s an issue with
your inner ear or
vestibular nerve.
Subtypes
Central
vertigo is less common. It occurs when you have a condition affecting
your brain, like an
infection, stroke or traumatic brain injury.
CAUSES
- Migraine headaches.
- Certain
medications
- Stroke.
- Arrhythmia.
- Diabetes.
- Head
injuries.
- Prolonged
bed rest.
- Shingles in or
near your ear.
- Ear surgery.
- Perilymphatic fistula
- Hyperventilation
- Low blood pressure
- Ataxia
- Syphilis.
- Otosclerosis
- Brain diseases.
- Acoustic neuroma.
DIAGNOSIS
- Fukuda-Unterberger
test. You will be asked to march in place for 30 seconds with your eyes closed.
If you rotate or lean to one side, it could mean that you have an issue with
your inner ear labyrinth.
- Romberg’s
test. You will be asked to close your eyes while standing with your feet
together and your arms to your side. If you feel unbalanced or unsteady, it
could mean that you have an issue with your central nervous system.
- Head impulse
test. Your provider will gently move your head to each side while you focus
your eyes on a stationary target. As they move your head, they’ll pay close
attention to your eye movements.
- Vestibular test battery.
- Imaging
tests.
MANAGEMENT
- Move slowly
when standing up, turning your head or performing other triggering movements.
- Sleep with
your head elevated on two pillows.
- Lie in a
dark, quiet room to reduce the spinning sensation.
- Sit down as
soon as you feel dizzy.
- Squat down
instead of bending over at the waist when picking something up.
- Turn on the lights if you get up during the night.
- Use a cane
or walking stick if you feel like you might fall.
