Vertigo: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention
The sensation of vertigo can affect your balance and make you feel nauseated. It's not a disease, but a symptom of a variety of conditions affecting your inner ear or brain. We will discuss the possible causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of vertigo in this blog post.
Causes of Vertigo
Vertigo can be caused by many factors, such as:
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When the inner ear's balance mechanisms are malfunctioning, peripheral vertigo occurs, which is the most common type of vertigo. There are many reasons for this, including infections, inflammation, fluid leakage, crystal formation, and tumors. In addition to benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), labyrinthitis, vestibular neuritis, and Meniere's disease, inner ear disorders can cause vertigo.
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Central vertigo is a type of vertigo that occurs when the brain or the nerve pathways that connect it to the inner ear malfunction. The symptoms of central vertigo are usually more severe than those of peripheral vertigo. They can be caused by strokes, brain injuries, infections, tumors, multiple sclerosis, or migraines.
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Some antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, cardiovascular drugs, and antidepressants can cause vertigo as a side effect.
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Other factors: Some other factors that can trigger or worsen vertigo are low blood pressure, diabetes, head injuries, prolonged bed rest, alcohol, caffeine, and certain foods.
Symptoms of Vertigo
Vertigo is characterized by a sensation of spinning or moving when you are actually still. This can make you feel dizzy, nauseated, or vomit.
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Hearing loss or ringing in the ears (tinnitus).
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A feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear.
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Abnormal eye movements (nystagmus).
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Headaches or motion sickness.
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Changes in blood pressure or heart rate.
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Difficulty concentrating or focusing.
Some people may experience mild or occasional episodes of vertigo, while others may experience constant or debilitating attacks of vertigo.
Diagnosis of Vertigo
Your healthcare provider will ask you about your health history, symptoms, and medications you are taking in order to diagnose vertigo. As well as performing a physical exam, they will check your ears and eyes for signs of infection, inflammation, or abnormal movements. They may also recommend some tests to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other possible causes, including:
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Audiometry: A test that measures your hearing ability and detects any hearing loss or damage in the inner ear.
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Tuning fork test: A test that uses a device that produces sound waves at a fixed pitch to check your hearing and balance function in both ears.
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Electronystagmography (ENG) or videonystagmography (VNG): Tests that measure your eye movements and detect any abnormality in the inner ear or the brain that causes vertigo.
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Posturography: A test that measures your balance and coordination by having you stand on a platform that moves or tilts.
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Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): A test that uses a powerful magnetic field and radio waves to create detailed images of your brain and inner ear and detect any tumors, strokes, or other abnormalities.
Treatment of Vertigo
The treatment of vertigo depends on the cause, the severity, and the frequency of the symptoms. Some of the possible treatments are:
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A healthcare provider may prescribe you medication to reduce vertigo, nausea, and vomiting. These include antihistamines, antiemetics, anticholinergics, benzodiazepines, and steroids. A number of medications may also treat the underlying cause of vertigo, including antibiotics for infections, diuretics for fluid retention, and beta-blockers for migraines.
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In order to alleviate vertigo, your healthcare provider may perform some maneuvers to reposition the crystals or fluid in your inner ear. You can learn how to do these maneuvers at home to prevent or treat vertigo attacks, such as the Epley maneuver, the Semont maneuver, or the Brandt-Daroff exercises.
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If the problem in the inner ear or the brain causes vertigo, surgery may be required to correct it. In fact, a canal plugging surgery can block the part of the inner ear causing vertigo, while a tumor removal surgery can remove the growth that presses on the nerve or brain and causes vertigo.
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You may also benefit from vestibular rehabilitation therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, or biofeedback therapy to improve your balance, coordination, and coping skills.
Prevention of Vertigo
Vertigo cannot be prevented completely, but you can take some steps to reduce the risk or the severity of the symptoms, such as:
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Avoiding triggers that may cause or worsen vertigo, such as alcohol, caffeine, certain foods, stress, or bright lights.
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Keeping yourself hydrated and eating a balanced diet.
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Getting enough sleep and rest.
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Avoiding sudden movements or changes in position, especially when lying down or getting up.
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Wearing low-heeled shoes and using a cane or a walker if needed.
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Alerting your family and friends about your condition and how they can help you during a vertigo attack.
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Seeking medical attention if you have persistent or severe vertigo or if you have other symptoms that may indicate a serious problem, such as chest pain, weakness, numbness, or vision loss.
