What is vertigo?
Vertigo is a feeling of being dizzy and off balance, as if the world is spinning around you or that you’re in motion yourself. You may feel like you’re going to fall, and have to hold onto something for support or sit down.
It’s not uncommon to experience an occasional feeling of vertigo, but if it’s becoming a regular occurrence, it could be due to an underlying medical condition, so you should visit Verma Health to find out what’s causing your vertigo.
What causes vertigo?
Vertigo is a balance problem, so it often develops because of a problem with the inner ear, which plays a crucial role in balance. Possible causes of vertigo include:
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)
BPPV develops because of a buildup of calcium particles called canaliths in your inner ear. Anyone can develop BPPV with no apparent cause, although it’s more common in older people.
Meniere's disease
Meniere's disease affects the inner ear causing tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and loss of hearing as well as vertigo. It’s believed to be due to a buildup of fluid and pressure changes in the ear.
Vestibular neuritis or labyrinthitis
Labyrinthitis is a problem that’s usually caused by an infection that leads to inflammation of the inner ear. This inflammation affects the nerves that help you balance.
Less common causes of vertigo include head and neck injuries, brain tumors, stroke, migraine, and some medications.
What treatments are available for vertigo?
The treatment your provider at Verma Health recommends for vertigo depends on the cause. Sometimes vertigo goes away on its own because your brain adapts to the problem, and compensates to a certain extent.
If you do need treatment, options include:
Vestibular rehabilitation
The vestibular system sends signals to your brain that relate head and body movements to gravity, which helps you maintain your balance. Vestibular rehabilitation is a type of physical therapy that helps to strengthen the vestibular system and improve the function of your other senses.
Canalith repositioning maneuvers
Canalith repositioning maneuvers are specific head and body movements that aim to make the calcium deposits move from the inner ear canal and into the inner chamber of the ear where your body can absorb them.
Medications can also help with symptoms that accompany vertigo, such as nausea and motion sickness. Antibiotics might be necessary if your vertigo is due to a bacterial infection, and steroids can help reduce inflammation. Diuretics are useful for reducing fluid levels in people who have Meniere's disease.
If your vertigo is due to a problem such as a brain tumor or injury, surgery may be an option.
The team at Verma Health can help you with your symptoms of vertigo and restore you to health, so call the practice today to schedule a consultation, or book an appointment online.
