Vertigo

What is Vertigo?

Vertigo is an unpleasant feeling, where one may feel as if one is moving or that the room is spinning. It is different from dizziness or feelings of lightheadedness, which can occur when one is sick or hasn’t eaten in a long time.

What are its causes and concerns?

Vertigo can be classified into types – subjective and objective Vertigo:

  • Subjective Vertigo – the person feels like he or she is moving. Sometimes, they may slightly sway
  • Objective Vertigo – the person feels as if his or her surroundings are moving.

Apart from these, Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is caused by a sudden movement of the head (if one were to turn their head quickly to one side to look at something).

Vertigo can result from the following:

  • Inner ear infection (viral or bacterial)
  • Neck injuries and head trauma – Vertigo disappears once the neck or head injury has healed.
  • A migraine
  • Meniere’s disease causes objective Vertigo, hearing loss, pressure in the ear and Tinnitus. It can come and go and one may experience symptoms for several weeks or months.
  • Acoustic neuroma is a tumour in the nerve tissue that causes Vertigo. One may also experience Tinnitus and hearing loss. The Vertigo subsides once the tumour is removed.
  • Cerebellar haemorrhage, by far the most serious condition that can cause Vertigo, is a life-threatening condition that can occur during an accident (car accident, skiing accident, hitting the head, falling and landing on the head).

What are its symptoms?

Vertigo is typically accompanied by symptoms such as:

  • Hearing Loss
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Headaches
  • Earache
  • Frequent falls
  • Nasal congestion and drainage
  • Nausea and vomiting

What are the solutions and treatment options?

As with most conditions, the doctor can plan a course of treatment upon examining the cause. When Vertigo is a result of cerebellar haemorrhage, it is considered to be a medical emergency. In this case, immediate medical attention must be sought. If the person is experiencing Vertigo due to an infection, the doctor may prescribe oral or IV antibiotics. The doctor may consider a variety of treatment options for Vertigo caused by other factors.

In conclusion

Vertigo that is not caused due to cerebellar haemorrhage can be easily treated. Give us a call today and our qualified doctors will help you relieve your vertigo troubles and improve your quality of life.

Additional Reading:

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/vertigo/article_em.htm#vertigo_overview

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