Vertigo is dizziness that causes you to feel as if you or things around you are spinning or moving when you are sitting or standing in place. Vertigo is not a sickness, but a symptom of something else, most commonly in the inner ear or brain. People confuse vertigo vs dizziness, but they are not. While dizziness today accompanies faintness or light-headedness, vertigo is more a matter of feeling movement that is not present.

Knowledge regarding etiology of vertigo, symptomatology, classification of vertigo, and its treatment is necessary so that it can be controlled and treated at a proper interval. Either acute or chronic, it can influence quality of life as well as activities of daily living.

What Is Vertigo?

Vertigo is an indication caused by disturbance of the vestibular system, the inner ear and brain equipment that governs balance and eye movement. Vertigo patients will typically complain of spinning, swaying, or tilting. Vertigo may be brought about by movement, change of position, or nothing.

Inner ear vertigo caused by inner ear vestibular pathalogy should be differentiated from central nervous system-related vertigo. According to the etiology and vertigo diagnosis of the underlying pathology, the treatment will vary.

Etiology of Vertigo

Vertigo's well-established etiologies are numerous, of which most are in the brain and the inner ear. Some of the commonest among them are:

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)

Also referred to as positional vertigo, BPPV is a condition where small calcium crystals in the inner ear are irritated and fall into ear canals. It creates short episodes of vertigo with head position changes, like rolling over in bed or leaning forward.

Meniere's Disease and Vertigo

Meniere’s disease and vertigo is an example of fluid accumulation in the inner ear and can lead to episodes of worse, sudden vertigo, deafness, tinnitus (sensation of noise in the ears), and fullness in the ears. Meniere's disease is a model of inner ear vertigo.

Vestibular Neuritis or Labyrinthitis

These are two viral inner ear or nerve infections. They produce worse and acute vertigo for days and vertigo and balance issues.

Vestibular Disorders

A brief term for the disorders that affect the balance organs in the inner ear. They are like BPPV, Meniere's disease, and vestibular neuritis, etc.

Migraine or Head Injury

Migraines or trauma may interfere with the balance function of the brain or the inner ear in trying to create vertigo. Vestibular migraines are also referred to as migraines with vertigo. Certain drugs (e.g., ototoxic drugs), stroke, tumors (e.g., acoustic neuromas), or even panic and anxiety disorders are other causes of vertigo.

Symptoms of Vertigo

Symptoms of vertigo are usually more than that of spinning. They can be:

  • False movement or sense of spinning
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Sweat
  • Headache or motion sensitivity
  • Ring in ears (tinnitus)
  • Loss of hearing
  • Vertigo and imbalance, e.g., walking unsteadily or unsteadiness
  • Noronalities in eye movements (nystagmus)
Symptoms of vertigo are either intermittent or permanent, depending upon the cause. They can be seconds or minutes or days.

Types of Vertigo

Peripherial and Central vertigo, and these two are vertigo types whose cause and treatment are different:

Peripheral Vertigo

It results from vestibular nerve or inner ear disease. Inner ear disease is characterized by Meniere's disease, labyrinthitis, and BPPV. It is the less disabling of the two with more severe initial vertigo but fewer neurological complaints.

Central Vertigo

This variety develops either from the brainstem or from the cerebellum. The etiology may be stroke, tumor, or multiple sclerosis. Central vertigo will definitely develop insidiously and may even include neurological features like double vision, slurred speech, or weakness of muscles.

Knowledge of the different types of vertigo is relevant while drawing appropriate treatment, particularly where vertigo vs dizziness are compared and differentiated with one another on causative lines.

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Diagnosis: How is Vertigo Assessed?

The key to excellent diagnosis of vertigo is in scrupulous medical history and physical examination. Steps first are:

  • Clinical Questions: Your physician will have you describe how frequently, for how long, and what type of vertigo, whether or not there are other accompanying signs such as hearing loss or headache, and on what medicines you are currently taking.
  • Physical Examination: Balance walk test and eye movement testing help determine whether the vertigo is central or peripheral.
  • Dix-Hallpike Maneuver: It is primarily utilized to establish BPPV by inducing vertigo in a controlled environment.
  • Hearing Tests: Audiometry is employed to identify whether inner ear vertigo is associated with hearing loss, i.e., Meniere's disease.
  • Imaging Tests: CT scan or MRI might be prescribed in order to exclude brain disease, particularly in patients in whom central causes are suspected.
Early accurate diagnosis of vertigo is important to rule out life-threatening underlying pathologies and formulate an effective treatment plan.

Most Effective Vertigo Treatment Plans

Effective control of vertigo relies on the etiology and cause of the symptom. The most effective to use are as follows:

Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT)

This series of physical therapy assists the body and mind in recovery to adapt to vestibular disorders. Vertigo and imbalance are aided by vertigo exercises.

Canalith Repositioning Maneuvers

Position vertigo (BPPV), certain head and body positioning like the Epley maneuver aid in moving displaced crystals to their correct location in the inner ear. Vertigo exercises in some are brief while in others are rehabilitative.

Vertigo Medications

There are certain vertigo medications that will improve symptoms:

  • Meclizine or promethazine: For motion sickness and vomiting
  • Benzodiazepines: Provided temporary relief with caution
  • Diuretics: The Gold standard of Meniere's disease and vertigo treatment
Medication for vertigo only suppresses symptoms-never the cause and must never be taken long term without medical guidance.

Home Remedies and Lifestyle

  • Hydration
  • Abstinence from alcohol and caffeine
  • Reducing stress
  • Proper resting
Prevention education for vertigo through life-style modification and home remedies will prevent the spells from being invoked.

Surgery

Surgery is reserved and used with caution and performed only for the most severe cases, e.g., chronic Meniere's disease or tumors of balance.

Conclusion

Vertigo is a disabling, and usually disabling, symptom secondary to an incredibly broad array of underlying illnesses, most commonly the inner ear or brain. Regardless of positional vertigo (BPPV) or chronic vestibular disease, proper diagnosis and treatment will reduce symptoms and improve balance significantly.

Learning to know how to distinguish vertigo from dizziness, learning the symptomology of vertigo, and learning the number of variations of vertigo are all good places to begin. From vertigo exercises to what medications are best for vertigo, a lot can be done to not only lessen, but eliminate symptoms.

If your attacks are becoming regular or just dreadful, see the doctor. Proper diagnosis of vertigo can reveal the actual cause of your symptoms and enable you to begin the right vertigo treatment. With the right treatment and ongoing care, most patients can recover and get their lives back.

Please book an appointment with the best ENT Specialist in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, and all major cities of Pakistan through InstaCare, or call our helpline at 03171777509 to find the verified doctor for your disease.