Vertigo is the sensation that you are spinning or the world around you is spinning.
The article describes the symptoms and various causes of vertigo.
It also explains how vertigo is diagnosed and treated.
Verywell / Gary Ferster
The first and most common pop in is peripheral vertigo.
Peripheral vertigo shows up when parts of the inner ear malfunction.
It tends to cause spinning episodes that last for seconds rather than minutes.
Verywell / Gary Ferster
Nausea may also be present, but rarely vomiting.
The vestibulocochlear nerve is comprised of the vestibular nerve which regulates balance and thecochlear nervewhich regulates hearing.
Inflammation of the vestibulocochlear nerve can cause sudden, severe vertigo accompanied by nausea or vomiting and unsteadiness.
The episodes can last for seconds to minutes.
Because the cochlear nerve is affected, there may also be hearing loss.
Menieres Disease
Menieres diseaseis a condition that causes the abnormal buildup of fluid in the inner ear.
The cause of the condition is unknown, but it typically affects one ear initially.
Over time, both ears may be impacted.
Menieres disease is associated with episodes of severe vertigo that can last for minutes to hours.
Less Common Causes
Several other, less common conditions can cause peripheral vertigo.
Vestibular Migraine
Vestibular migrainerefers to vertigo that occurs as a result of amigraine.
In addition to vertigo and headache, nausea and sensitivity to light or sound may occur.
Stroke
Astroke, especially in the brainstem or cerebellum, can cause vertigo.
Abrainstem strokemay also cause double vision and slurred speech.
A cerebellum stroke can affect walking, speaking, chewing, hearing, and vision.
In addition to vertigo, tinnitus and hearing loss may occur.
If the autoimmune damage occurs in certain parts of the brainstem or cerebellum, vertigo can regularly occur.
Depending on your healthcare provider’s suspicion, imaging studies and lab tests may be ordered.
Two of the more common in-office procedures include:
Your blood pressure and pulse will also be taken.
For most other diagnoses, lifestyle changes, medications, and/or vestibular rehabilitation remain the mainstay of treatment.
These include:
Epley Maneuver
A technique called theEpley maneuveris used to treat people with BPPV.
Vestibular Rehabilitation
Vestibular rehabilitationis a key in of physical therapy.
Complementary and Alternative Therapies
Some people incorporate complementary and alternative therapies into their treatment plans for vertigo.
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