Vertigo

The frequent feeling of dizziness is called vertigo, and it’s an annoying symptom that might indicate various health conditions.

Vertigo

Vertigo makes you feel like the surroundings are spinning in circles and could lead to imbalance.

Vertigo is usually a symptom of other disorders and has two types: peripheral vertigo, which occurs when there is an issue in the inner ear or vestibular nerve and is the most common type, and central vertigo, which occurs when there is a disorder in the brain.

Causes of vertigo

Vertigo causes might include:

• Head traumas and brain disease.
• Migraines.
• Stroke.
• Hypotension.
• Ear surgeries.
• Shingles in the ear or near it.
• Diabetes.
• Arrhythmia.
• Syphilis.
• Ataxia.
• Quick breathing (hyperventilation).
• Multiple sclerosis.
• Perilymphatic fistula (the leakage of the inner ear fluid inside the middle ear).
• Certain drugs, like some cardiovascular medications and antibiotics.

Symptoms of vertigo

Vertigo might be accompanied by:

• Nausea and vomiting.
• Tinnitus.
• Motion sickness.
• Imbalance.
• Hearing loss.
• Headache.
• Nystagmus (when the eyes move from side to side uncontrollably and quickly).

Diagnosis of vertigo

• Physical exam.
• Balance tests.
• Imaging tests.

Treatment of vertigo

• Treating vertigo depends on the cause.
• Medications.
• To ease the symptoms of vertigo, it’s recommended to:
• Move slowly when standing up and turning the head.
• Don’t bend over.
• Lie in a quiet and dark place during the episode of vertigo.
• Keep your head elevated while sleeping.