Vertigo, often described as the spinning sensation of the environment, can be a temporary or chronic experience. It is important to identify any brain disorder causing vertigo, as this can be a potential underlying cause, distinguishing between peripheral and central vertigo. Instead of being a standalone condition, dizziness is a symptom indicating an underlying issue typically associated with the inner ear, brain, or sensory nerve pathway. Seeking evaluation and treatment for dizziness is crucial, as effective options exist to alleviate these sensations and enhance overall health and wellness.
Types of Vertigo: Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
There are two main types of vertigo: central and peripheral vertigo:
- Peripheral Dizziness: This is the more common type, constituting nearly 80% of all cases. Issues related to the inner ear, such as infections, can cause peripheral dizziness. Peripheral vertigo typically arises from problems within the inner ear, specifically related to the vestibular labyrinth or semicircular canals, and may result from conditions such as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and Ménière disease. Small organs and nerves in the inner ear send messages (sound, motion, position) to the brain, enabling us to maintain balance. When these organs are impacted, it can lead to dizziness and other issues.
- Central Dizziness: Accounting for about 20% of cases, central dizziness is directly associated with the central nervous system. Central vertigo is caused by issues in the brain, particularly in the brain stem or cerebellum, and may involve chronic migraines, tumors, or the cervical spine.
Vertigo is diagnosed by a medical doctor who conducts physical examinations that can include simple movement tests, CT, or MRI scans.
Vertigo Symptoms & Causes
Dizziness is often described as the feeling that the environment is moving or spinning in a circle. Acute vestibular syndrome (AVS) is a critical condition to consider. Associated symptoms include:
- Balance issues
- Nausea, vomiting
- Feeling lightheaded
- Tinnitus: a buzzing or ringing noise in one or both ears
- Headaches
- Rapid eye movements
- Ear(s) feeling full or plugged
- Other symptoms such as photophobia and visual disturbances
Dizziness can be caused by various conditions involving the inner ear or central nervous system, including inner ear disorders:
- Labyrinthitis: Inflammation of the vestibular labyrinth and the vestibulocochlear nerve, often caused by infection, leading to additional symptoms like hearing loss, headaches, pain in the ear, and tinnitus.
- Vestibular Neuritis: Similar to labyrinthitis, caused by an infection that inflames the vestibular nerve, resulting in vertigo, blurred vision, nausea, and balance issues.
- Cholesteatoma: Persistent ear infections causing skin growth behind the eardrum, impacting the ossicles, and leading to dizziness and hearing loss.
- Meniere’s Disease: Involves an accumulation of fluid in the inner ear, causing vertigo, tinnitus, and hearing loss.
- BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo bppv): A specific type of dizziness caused by the displacement of otolith organs in the inner ear, triggering inaccurate information to the brain about motion and position.
Additionally, dizziness can be caused by migraines, including vestibular migraine, head injuries, multiple sclerosis, brain stem disease and strokes.
Treatment
Treatment for dizziness depends on the underlying cause. Bacterial infections are commonly treated with prescribed antibiotics and over-the-counter medications to alleviate symptoms. For conditions like Meniere’s disease, prescribed medications may be recommended. Physical therapy is also a treatment option for vertigo, particularly for conditions like benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and vestibular dysfunction. Additional ways to find relief from dizziness include:
- Turning off lights and lying in a dark (or dimly lit) room, is particularly helpful when dizziness is severe.
- Performing specific movements slowly to avoid triggering dizziness, such as getting up, turning your head, or looking up.
- Sleeping with your head raised on a few pillows.
- Squatting rather than bending over to pick something up.
BPPV occurs when calcium carbonate crystals dislodge from their usual location in the utricle and move into the semicircular canals, leading to vertigo symptoms. Treatment often involves repositioning maneuvers aimed at relocating the dislodged crystals back to the utricle.
Have you experienced challenges due to vertigo or other balance issues? We’re here to help! Contact us today to schedule a consultation.