Vertigo Disease

Most people think that vertigo has to do with the fear of heights. They usually get that impression from the classic movie Vertigo starring Jimmy Stewart. But if you have vertigo or menieres disease it is probably not a good idea to go any where you might fall.

Everyone at one time or the other has felt dizzy. It is a common feeling of lightheadedness, feeling like you are losing your balance, or maybe even like you are about to faint. Vertigo can be considered a form of dizziness unlike regular dizziness vertigo sufferers experience a spinning sensation.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, BPPV, is caused by the sudden turning of the head. When the head moves there are particles in the inner canals of the ear that break loose and send false signals to the brain. The movement can be as slight as turning over in bed or sitting up. A head injury can be the initial cause of BPPV.

Another cause of vertigo may be the inflammation of the inner ear, called vestibular neuritis. Any sudden movement of the head or eyes can cause intense nausea. This may lead to several days of bed rest but it will go away after a short period of time.

Acoustic Neuroma is a benign growth on the vestibular nerve. The first sign that you may have it is hearing loss. It is slow growing and the cause is unknown. It is not heritary in nature. The treatments are surgery or radiation. If left untreated it could be life threatening.

Rapid changes in motion such as rides in an amusement park or boats or even cars can cause vertigo.
Definitely not the roller coaster!

Vertigo differs from other inner ear illness, especially Meniere's disease in that vertigo is caused by sudden movements of the head which in turn causes the illusion of motion. With Meniere's disease the causes are not that easily defined but it usually isn't brought on by sudden movement. And there isn't a cure for Meniere's Disease

The Doctor begins by asking questions about your dizziness: how long did it last, did you lose your balance, did you feel light-headed. From your answers the Doctor can determine whether to continue on to other tests to see if it is BPPV. One test involves the doctor twisting the patient's head quickly and looking to see if the eyes moved in an involuntary way. This procedure is called the Dix-Hallpike test. I had this test done to rule out vertigo, when I was diagnosed with Meniere' Disease.

To cure vertigo (BPPV) physical therapy is usually recommended. BPPV is when calcium crystals are lodged in the inner ear where balance and motion are detected. When the vertigo patient moves his head so do the crystals causing a false sense of unbalance and motion. By using a technique called canalith repositioning procedure the doctor or therapist can move the crystals out of the area where the balance sensors are and redirect them into another inner ear area.

Improving your balance wouldn't cure vertigo but it will certainly help!

Some of the same medication that is used for Meniere's disease is also recommended for Vertigo, such as Antivert, benadryl and valium. But like Meniere's disease this wouldn't cure this condition only ease the pain and nausea.

Cervical vertigo is interesting because it involves movement of the head and dizziness. But unlike meniere's disease it doesn't affect your hearing. For more information go to the American Hearing Organization's website