Vertigo: Vertigo is a condition where a person feels, the objects around them are moving or spinning when they are not. This may be associated with nausea, vomiting, sweating, or difficulties in walking. Vertigo is typically worsened when the head is moved. It is the most common type of dizziness.
Vertigo Causes & Types
The vertigo is brought on by one of two causes – the disturbance in either:
- The balance organs of the inner ear(vestibular system)
- Parts of the brain or sensory nerve pathways.
Peripheral
Peripheral vertigo is caused by problems with the vestibular system, which is composed of semicircular canals, the vestibule, and the vestibular nerve.
Central
Vertigo that arises from centers of the central nervous system (CNS), often from a lesion in the brainstem or cerebellum, with illusions called “central” vertigo and is general with illusion and nausea than vertigo of peripheral origin.
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Vertigo Symptoms
People with vertigo typically feeling like they are:
- Spinning
- Unbalanced
- Tilting
- Pulled to one direction
- Swaying
Other symptoms that may include:
- Vomiting
- Feeling nauseated
- Abnormal eye movements (nystagmus)
- Sweating
- Hearing loss
- Headache
Symptoms may last a few minutes to a few hours or more and may come and go.
Treatment for Vertigo
Vertigo treatment depends on what’s causing it. In many cases, vertigo goes away without any treatment. For some, treatment may include:
Vestibular Rehabilitation
This is a type of physical therapy aimed to strengthen the vestibular system. Epley maneuver to cure BPPV
Epley maneuver to cure BPPV
If benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the cause of vertigo, treatment with the Epley maneuver is effective in most cases. Some patients may require repeated repositioning procedures and may be given guidance on how to repeat the procedure themselves at home.
Medicines
Medication can be used to treat episodes of vertigo caused by vestibular neuronitis. It may also be used for central vertigo or with an unknown cause. The medicines are commonly prescribed for 3 to 14 days, depending on the condition. The two medicines are:
- Antihistamines
- Prochlorperazine
Prochlorperazine help to relieve severe nausea and vomiting associated with vertigo. It works by blocking the chemical in the brain called dopamine. Prochlorperazine may cause some side effects, including tremors and involuntary body and facial movements.
It may also make some people feel sleepy.
Antihistamines can be used to relieve less severe nausea, vomiting and vertigo symptoms. They work by blocking the chemical effects called histamine. Possible antihistamines that may be prescribed include:
- Cyclizine
- Cinnarizine
- Promethazine teoclate
Antihistamines can also make you feel sleepy. Side effects such as headaches and an upset stomach are also possible.
