Vertigo - causes and symptoms

Most cases of vertigo are of the peripheral type, i.e. a spinning sensation or feeling that is usually caused by disorders of the inner ear. If you have vertigo, you may feel like you are spinning. Check out the full explanation below regarding the causes, symptoms, diagnosis and cure for vertigo.

What is Vertigo?

Vertigo is a condition in which a person experiences a sensation as if his surroundings are spinning. Does this condition require vertigo medication? Please note that vertigo is not a disease that stands alone, vertigo is a symptom of a disease.

Vertigo can last from a few minutes to hours depending on the severity. If the vertigo experienced is quite severe, it risks making the sufferer lose balance so that the risk of falling is higher.

Causes of Vertigo

Basically, the causes of vertigo are divided into two, namely central and peripheral vertigo. Compared to central vertigo, peripheral vertigo is the most common. The following is a complete explanation of the causes of vertigo, including:

1. Peripheral vertigo

Peripheral vertigo is the most commonly experienced by many people. The reason is because there is a disturbance in the inner ear which functions to regulate the balance of the body. In addition to the feeling of floating, inflammation that occurs in the inner ear or due to a viral infection, will cause pain and dizziness.

Some of the most common causes of vertigo, specifically those of peripheral vertigo are:

• BPPV. BPPV stands for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. BPPV occurs when tiny calcium particles (canaliths) enter the canals of the inner ear. The inner ear sends signals to the brain about head and body movements relative to gravity. This process helps the body maintain balance. BPPV can occur for no known reason and may be age related. The cause of vertigo is quite common.

• Meniere's disease. This is an inner ear disorder thought to be caused by fluid buildup and changes in the ear. This can cause episodes of vertigo along with ringing in the ears (tinnitus) and hearing loss.

• Vestibular neuritis or labyrinthitis. This is an inner ear problem usually associated with an infection (usually a virus). Infection causes inflammation of the

the inner ear around the nerves that are important to help balance the body's senses.

2. Central vertigo

Central vertigo occurs due to problems with the brain. The part of the brain that has the most influence on the incidence of this disease is the cerebellum or cerebellum.

The following are some of the conditions that cause central vertigo, including:

• Strokes. A condition of blockage of blood vessels that occurs in the brain.

• Take medication. certain types of drugs that can cause vertigo side effects.

• Brain tumor. This disease attacks the cerebellum or cerebellum, resulting in impaired coordination of body movements.

• Migraine. The appearance of migraines or headaches is accompanied by throbbing pain and is often experienced by young people. Migraine is usually considered as one of the common causes of this disease.

• Multiple sclerosis. Nerve signal disorders that occur in the central nervous system (brain and spine) caused by errors in a person's immune system.

• Acoustic neuroma. Benign tumors that grow on the vestibular nerve, which is the nervous system that connects the ear to the brain. Most cases of acoustic neuroma occur due to genetic disorders.

Vertigo Symptoms

Keep in mind that vertigo attacks can occur suddenly and can be long or short. If you have severe vertigo, vertigo symptoms can last for several days, interfering with your daily activities.

The most common symptom is that your surroundings feel like they are spinning with a ringing in your ears. As a result, the urge to vomit is inevitable and makes you unable to stand up.

Other symptoms that may accompany vertigo are:

• Abnormal or jerking eye movements (nystagmus).

• Headache.

• Sweating.

• Difficult to concentrate.

Vertigo Diagnosis

Doctors can separate dizziness from vertigo by asking a simple question: "Do you feel the environment like spinning or are you dizzy?". If your surroundings seem to be spinning, you can be sure you have vertigo.

In addition, the doctor will also ask about your medical history including a history of migraines, inner ear infections, taking regular medications and head injuries that have been experienced.

If needed, the doctor can perform a further stage of physical examination. This examination is intended to see hearing function, brain function, and eye movement. Some of these inspection methods include:

• Head-thrust test: You look at your own nose, and this will make a quick head sideways movement and look for correct eye movements.

• Romberg test: You stand with your feet together and your eyes open, then close your eyes and try to maintain balance.

• Fukuda-Unterberger test: You are asked to line up on the spot with your eyes closed without leaning from side to side

• Dix-Hallpike test: While at the table, you are quickly lowered from a seated position to a supine position with your head turned to the right or slightly to the left. A doctor will watch your eye movements to learn more about your vertigo.

In addition to some of the tests described above, supporting tests can be carried out by doctors such as urine and blood tests, MRI, CT scans and X-rays.

Meanwhile, warning signs of serious complications include:

• Sudden onset of vertigo is not affected by position changes.

• Vertigo associated with neurological signs such as severe lack of muscle coordination or new weakness.

• Vertigo associated with deafness and no history of Meniere's disease.

Vertigo Medication

Vertigo medication depends on what's causing it. In many cases, without having to find a cure for vertigo, vertigo can go away on its own. This cure without vertigo is due to the brain being able to adapt – at least in part, to changes in the inner ear.

For some people, vertigo medications may include:

1. Vestibular rehabilitation

This is a type of physical therapy that aims to help strengthen the vestibular system. The function of the vestibular system is to send signals to the brain about head and body movements relative to gravity. Vestibular rehabilitation may be recommended if you have recurrent attacks of vertigo. This helps train your senses to compensate.

2. Canalite repositioning maneuver

Guidelines from the American Academy of Neurology recommend a specific set of movements for the head and body in order to treat BPPV. The movement is performed to move calcium deposits out of the canal into the inner ear space so that they can be absorbed by the body.

You may have symptoms of vertigo during the procedure when the canal is moving. A doctor or physical therapist can guide these maneuvers.

3. Prescription drugs

In some cases, medication may be given to relieve symptoms such as nausea or motion sickness associated with vertigo. If the vertigo is caused by an infection or inflammation, antibiotics or steroids can reduce the swelling and clear the infection. Vertigo medications for Meniere's disease, such as diuretics (water pills) may be prescribed to relieve pressure from fluid buildup.

Other vertigo medications you can use: Antihistamines, such as betahistine. Benzodiazepines, such as diazepam and lorazepam. Anti-vomiting, such as metoclopramide.

4. Operation

In some cases, surgery may be needed for vertigo. If the vertigo is caused by a more serious underlying problem, such as a tumor or injury to the brain or neck, surgery can help to relieve the vertigo.

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