Understanding vertigo disease

Vertigo is a very common complaint received by doctors and nurses around the country. It’s a feeling that some people get which causes them to have the feeling that they’re moving when they actually aren’t. In some cases, people feel like items around them are moving when they should be staying still.

In many cases, vertigo feels very similar to motion sickness, and people who experience this condition generally say that they feel lightheaded or dizzy. The most common causes of vertigo can be traced back to Meniere’s disease, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), and something known as acute vertigo. Treatment for each of these conditions depends on what’s causing your problem, and the outlook, or how likely it is for the problem to continue will depend on the cause too.

Understanding Vertigo Disease:

The first thing you should know when it comes to understanding vertigo disease, is that vertigo represents a sign of a problem rather than a condition in its own right. It’s a sign that something isn’t quite right with your body, and because of that issue, it feels as though you, or the environment all around you is spinning or moving.

Depending on the type of vertigo you have, the experience you associate with this symptom will differ. For instance, for some people, the symptoms of vertigo are barely noticeable, whereas others consider the issue to be so severe that they struggle to do everyday tasks, or keep their balance on a regular basis.

For some, attacks of acute vertigo disease may develop suddenly and last for only a few moments, while others encounter attacks that last for days or weeks at a time. If you struggle from severe vertigo, you may be unable to manage your daily life normally. If you have vertigo disease, then the symptoms you experience may include loss of balance, dizziness, or feeling sick.

What Causes Vertigo Disease?

There are numerous reasons why a person might suffer from vertigo disease. For most people, there are two main categories of vertigo. The first is peripheral vertigo, which happens because of a problem with the vestibular nerve, or the inner ear. The other kind is central vertigo, which happens due to a problem in the brain around the cerebellum. The cerebellum is the part of the brain that manages movements, balance, and coordination.

Around 93% of all cases of vertigo disease are related to peripheral vertigo, which is often caused by a number of different conditions. The first possible condition could be benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, which happens because of changes to the position of your head, and calcium crystals which float in the inner ear. Another option is Meniere’s disease, which is an inner ear disorder. Acute vertigo can be caused by inflammation of the inner ear, which causes vertigo disease to happen suddenly.

Central vertigo is much less common than its counterpart, but it can be caused by a range of conditions too, including ongoing migraines, problems with tumors around the brain, and even strokes. People with multiple sclerosis are more likely to have central vertigo.

Testing and Finding Vertigo Disease:

When doctors look for signs of vertigo disease, they search for insights into whether the cause is central or peripheral, and whether there might be any complications present that could threaten your long-term health. Doctors can often separate simple problems with dizziness from vertigo by simply asking their patients whether they feel as though they’re lightheaded, or whether it seems like the world is spinning.

There are many different tests that can be used to help diagnose vertigo. For instance, one option is the head-thrust test, which asks you to look at the examiner’s nose, and then he will make a quick movement with his side to find out if you have the right eye movement.

There’s also something called the Romberg test, where you are asked you to stand with your eyes closed and your feet together while you try to maintain your balance. Additionally, there is the Dix-Hallpike test, which asks you to lie down on a table. While you’re lying there, you’ll be lowered from a seated position in a laid position pointing your head either somewhat to the right or slightly to the left. A doctor will examine the movement in your eyes to check for vertigo.

How is Vertigo Treated?

If your doctor determines that you do have vertigo, then there are a range of ways they can help you manage the condition. Depending on what type of vertigo you have, your treatment options might change. For instance, in BPPV, special exercises will be performed to help move the calcium crystals in your ears into a location that shouldn’t have an impact on your balance. The more comfortable you become in doing these exercises on your own, the less you’ll need the help of a therapist.

Some vertigo disease cases will improve by themselves naturally over time, without any direct treatment. However, many people will have episodes for years. There are also medicines like antihistamines and prochlorperazine which can help with the early stages of vertigo. However, these options won’t be suitable for everyone.

In many cases, people with vertigo disease will benefit from something called vestibular rehabilitation training. This is a process that involves using a range of exercises to help you overcome balance problems. Depending on what might be causing your vertigo disease, there may also be options where you can support yourself with care at home. For instance, your specialist, or a GP that is treating you could help you to perform certain exercises that help to correct your symptoms.

Some people who have vertigo are advised to sleep with their head raised on multiple pillows, and they should also get out of bed and move slowly when they’re adjusting from one position to another. If you have vertigo disease, you should also avoid over-extending the neck when you’re reaching for something, and only over move your head very slowly and carefully during daily activities.

In certain cases, your doctor might even encourage you to do things that will trigger your vertigo so that your brain can get used to the sensation and reduce your symptoms.