Vertigo
Last Update : 24-11-2023
Vertigo
Vertigo, literally meaning "dizziness," is a sensory illusion related to a person's perception of movement. When we refer to "dizziness," we are talking about any problem related to maintaining balance. This condition can range from causing severe dizziness to the extent that the patient cannot even open their eyes or get out of bed to occasional mild sensations of unsteadiness or even momentary blackout.
What Are the Symptoms of Vertigo?
The symptoms of vertigo can vary depending on the underlying cause. Patients commonly describe feelings like "everything is spinning," "the ground is slipping from beneath my feet," "I'm sliding to one side," "my head feels empty," or "my vision is blacking out." When vertigo is severe, patients may experience rapid, jerky eye movements, nausea, vomiting, and difficulty standing. Ear-related dizziness can be accompanied by symptoms like ringing in the ears, hearing loss, a feeling of pressure in the ears, nausea, vomiting, and ear discharge. Neurological conditions leading to vertigo can be associated with symptoms such as headaches, numbness, paralysis, and abnormal eye movements. Other accompanying symptoms related to vertigo can be highly variable, but many patients experience dizziness as the primary complaint.
What Are the Causes of Vertigo?
Vertigo is categorized into peripheral and central vertigo based on the structures it affects. In peripheral vertigo, the cause of vertigo is related to the balance organs in the inner ear. If the cause of vertigo is the balance centers in the brain, it is referred to as central vertigo. Central vertigo is often accompanied by additional neurological symptoms such as speech disorders, double vision, swallowing difficulties, and significant balance disturbances.
Vertigo can result from various causes, including:
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- Heart diseases
- Severe anemia
- Metabolic disorders
- Bone abnormalities and calcifications in the neck
- Elderly individuals with multiple health conditions, especially diabetes
- Involvement of the inner ear following upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs)
- Spread of chronic middle ear infections to the inner ear (labrynthitis)
- Inflammatory diseases or tumors in the inner ear or inner ear nerves
- Ménière's disease: An inner ear disorder characterized by an increase in endolymphatic fluid in the inner ear. It presents with severe vertigo, ringing in one or both ears, ear fullness, imbalance, nausea, vomiting, and can lead to a gradual loss of hearing.
- Vestibular Neuritis: One of the most common causes of vertigo, often preceded by an upper respiratory tract infection. Patients may experience dizziness, imbalance, and nausea but do not have symptoms related to hearing or the brainstem. Symptoms typically last about a week and gradually improve. Early vestibular rehabilitation can be beneficial.
- Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): Characterized by short episodes of vertigo, often less than a minute in duration, triggered by specific head or body movements (e.g., looking up). It is the most common cause of dizziness and can occur throughout a person's life. BPPV can be caused by head trauma and is often described as the sensation of "crystals moving" in the inner ear's balance canals.
As you can see, most of the causes of vertigo are related to ear-related disorders.
How Is Vertigo Treated?
During the severe phases of vertigo, the primary goal of treatment is to alleviate dizziness, prevent nausea and vomiting. Due to the frequent occurrence of vomiting alongside vertigo, orally administered medications may not be effective, and intravenous medications are usually more suitable. As a patient's symptoms improve, the medications should be discontinued promptly, and vestibular exercises should be initiated. Vestibular exercises are essential for promoting compensation. Stress is a significant trigger for this condition.
What Is Vestibular Rehabilitation?
Vestibular rehabilitation aims to desensitize the patient to repeated movements causing vertigo and reduce vertigo symptoms. The program includes vestibulo-ocular exercises and specific maneuvers. These exercises and maneuvers are tailored to the patient and are administered in specific sessions. Vestibular rehabilitation aims to decrease vertigo symptoms, help the patient regain confidence in their daily life, prevent falls and injuries, and reduce the risk of anxiety, panic disorders, and major depression. Cooperation between Otorhinolaryngology (ENT) and Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation departments is crucial for creating a tailored rehabilitation program, providing specific recommendations, and ensuring the quickest possible discontinuation of medication.
For more detailed information and appointment procedures, you can contact us at 0 530 852 852 2 or email us at kbb@emreerkilet.com.tr.