IS VERTIGO A SERIOUS MEDICAL CONDITION?

There is no real cause for concern if you have been diagnosed with vertigo, however, you must tread with caution depending on the type of vertigo you have.

The term Vertigo is quite often used by people when they have a sudden dizzy spell. However, vertigo is not the only condition that causes that sensation; and most people tend to confuse light-headedness with vertigo. Depending on when you have these dizzy spells and how often, a doctor will be able to diagnose with certainty, whether it is vertigo at all. On its own, vertigo is not a serious condition – however, losing balance in the wrong place can cause grave injury. Hence, it is best to understand the cause and triggers of the condition.

What is Vertigo?

Vertigo is not considered a disease but is rather a symptom of an underlying condition. Vertigo is generally associated with an imbalance in the inner ear but it can also be due to problems in certain parts of the brain.

Vertigo is best described as a sensation similar to what one might feel after stepping off a loopy rollercoaster ride – you feel unsteady on your feet and even though you are off the ride, you still feel like your world is spinning. If you feel this way without having spun around, and if you experience this sensation multiple times, it’s most likely you have vertigo. For some people, the dizzy spell lasts a few seconds, for others a few minutes and in severe cases for days.

There is no real cause for concern if you have been diagnosed with vertigo, however, you must tread with caution depending on the type of vertigo you have. You can find the best ENT Specialist at Dr Kamakshi Memorial Hospital to treat vertigo.

Types of Vertigo

There are two types of vertigo – Peripheral Vertigo and Central Vertigo.

Peripheral Vertigo is caused when there is some trouble in the inner ear which controls balance. This is the more common type of vertigo. Inner Ear problems occur mainly due to the following conditions:

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), where a sudden change in the position of the head triggers dizziness. BPPV causes small crystals to loosen up and mix with the fluid in the inner ear. This floating of the crystals is what triggers vertigo. This is the most common cause of Peripheral Vertigo.
Vestibular Neuronitis is when the vestibular nerve that connects the inner ear and the brain stem is inflamed, leading to severe dizzy spells that can last up to 2 weeks. A viral infection can cause this condition.
Meniere’s Disease is a condition caused by the build-up of fluid in the ear. This can trigger vertigo and is often accompanied by tinnitus, fluctuating hearing loss and ear pressure. This is a relatively rare condition, but a more serious inner ear issue that needs to be treated through medication and lifestyle changes.

Central Vertigo is caused by infection, disease or injury in the brain such as strokes, tumours, migraine, multiple sclerosis or head injury. While episodes of peripheral vertigo tide over quickly, central vertigo may last for longer periods of time and is quite intense. Some episodes can be so severe that the person will be unable to walk around without support. Other symptoms that accompany central vertigo, indicating problems in the brain are:

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Eye movement problems
Double Vision
Facial Paralysis
Slurred speech
Difficulty swallowing

How to treat Vertigo?

Depending on the cause and type of vertigo the ENT Doctor will decide on the mode of treatment. This may include a combination of medications, physical therapy, and simple lifestyle changes such as:

simple exercises to correct symptoms.
getting up slowly from a seated position
sitting up slowly from lying down position, waiting for a minute before standing up.
avoid bending forwards even to pick up objects.
sleep with the head raised.
doing actions that trigger vertigo to slowly condition the brain.
move your head and neck slowly while doing daily activities.