Vertigo Disease

Vertigo is commonly thought of as a disease, but is actually a symptom of another problem. Vertigo is characterized by a spinning, whirling dizziness which is caused by an abnormality with your equilibrium (or balance). There are several types of vertigo: subjective vertigo (the sense that you are moving), objective vertigo (sense that objects around you are moving) and benign paroxysmal position vertigo (which commonly causes dizziness).

The Facts

• Your inner ear plays a key role in maintaining balance. The delicate inner structures of the inner ear are referred to as the vestibular system (which includes the cerebellum, brainstem, vestibular nerve and the inner ear structure). Your vestibular system is what helps your brain focus on visual objects while moving and assimilating your senses with movements. When you move your head, the labyrinth (a structural component in your inner ear) signals information to the vestibular nerve. The vestibular nerve, in turn transmits that information to your brainstem and cerebellum.

Prevalence

• The National Institutes of Health estimate that 40 percent of all people in the United States report experiencing dizziness once or more during their life. Vertigo is considered to be one of the more prevalent health issues in adults and tends to be slightly more common in women. The risk of experiencing it increases with age.

Symptoms

• If you suddenly begin to experience vertigo symptoms, you most likely have a disorder of the peripheral vestibular system like benign paroxysmal position vertigo (BPPV), Ménière disease or vestibular neuritis.

  These vertigo symptoms most commonly include dizziness. Additional signs include loss of balance, altered or blurry vision, fatigue, weakness, headache, lack of concentration, heart palpitations, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, impaired thinking, memory problems, sensitivity to light and/or noise and increased perspiration.

  Central vestibular disorders (like migraines or strokes) can cause vertigo in addition to symptoms like severe headache, double vision, inability to speak, loss of consciousness, severe weakness, nausea, vomiting and loss of coordination.

  Moving your head, turning over while lying down or changing positions may worsen your symptoms.

Causes

• Vertigo can be caused by medical conditions like BPPV, Ménière disease, Cogan's syndrome, ear poisoning, cardiovascular problems, head trauma, stroke, migraine, multiple sclerosis, tumors and inflammation of the vestibular nerve. It can also be cause by medications like antidepressants, diuretics, pain relievers, blood pressure medication, anticonvulsants, over-the-counter cold medications, quinine and long-term use of certain antibiotics. Exposure to certain environmental toxins and chemicals like mercury, tin or lead can lead to ear poisoning which damages the inner ear. Alcohol may also result in temporary vertigo in some people.

Diagnosis/Treatment

• Call your doctor if you are experiencing vertigo symptoms. A proper medical diagnosis is crucial to identifying the cause of your vertigo. Your doctor may need to perform a neurological examination, do an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) or CT (computerized tomography) scan and draw blood for blood tests to rule out serious medical conditions.

  Treatment is largely dependent on the underlying condition which is causing your vertigo. It may be as simple as adjusting your medication. Additional treatment options include VRT (vestibular rehabilitation therapy), a form of physical therapy, which works to improve balance and coordination, minimize falls, reduce dizziness and restore normal function to your vestibular system.