Vertigo Treatment
Vertigo is a sensation of dizziness in which you feel the environment around you is spinning or moving when, in reality, it is not. This disorienting feeling can lead to disbalance, nausea, and other symptoms, that affect your daily life.
Vertigo is not an unusual condition. It is said that 1 in 15 adults experience vertigo atleast once in their lifetime. Reports from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) suggest that vertigo and dizziness are among the most common reasons adults visit their doctors. Let’s understand the underlying causes of vertigo, particularly its connection to the inner ear.
Why Does Vertigo Happen?
Vertigo occurs due to problems in the vestibular system, which includes parts of the inner ear and brain that control balance and eye movements. When these systems malfunction, the brain receives erroneous signals, causing the perception of spinning or disbalance.
Causes of Vertigo
The inner ear plays a crucial role in maintaining stability and balance. Many conditions related to the inner ear can cause vertigo:
- Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): This is the most common cause of vertigo. This occurs when minute calcium particles called canaliths clamp up in the inner ear. These particles obstruct the ear's function of sending correct balance signals to the brain.
- Meniere's Disease: This disorder is characterized by sudden episodes of vertigo, tinnitus (ringing in the ear), hearing loss, and a feeling of fullness in the ear. It results from an accumulation of fluid in the inner ear, which also affects the balance and hearing mechanisms.
- Labyrinthitis and Vestibular Neuritis: These conditions are characterized by inflammation of the inner ear or the nerves connecting the inner ear to the brain. Labyrinthitis leads to hearing loss, whereas vestibular neuritis does not. Both can lead to vertigo due to the disrupted balance.
- Migrainous Vertigo: People suffering from migraines experience vertigo as a symptom of the headaches. However, this type of vertigo can occur even without the headache phase of a migraine.
- Head Injury: Trauma to the head can damage the inner ear or brain areas, hence disrupting the transmission of balance information responsible for balance, leading to vertigo.
- Stroke: Vertigo can be a symptom of a stroke affecting the areas of the brain involved in balance and coordination.
When to See a Doctor?
While occasional dizziness might not be a cause for worry, repeated occurrence of vertigo does call for medical attention. You should see a doctor if you experience:
- Recurrent or prolonged episodes of dizziness
- Vertigo is followed by headaches, fever, or stiffness in the neck
- Hearing loss or ringing in the ears
- Double vision and difficulty in speaking
- Weakness in limbs and difficulty in walking
- Fainting or loss of consciousness
These symptoms could indicate serious underlying conditions that require prompt diagnosis and treatment.
If you or a loved one is suffering from vertigo, it is recommended to visit a specialist at the earliest. Dr Shailesh Pandey is one the best ENT specialists for Vertigo Treatment in Mumbai. He understands the complex nature of this condition and its causes and provides accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. His proficiency and compassionate approach ensure that patients receive superior care to manage and overcome vertigo, helping them regain stability and improve their lives.