Causes And Treatments of Vertigo

Vertigo causes loss of balance and dizziness. You may feel that you are being pulled down or pushed to a side. The feeling of the world spinning around you will make it impossible to stand or walk straight without losing balance.

Vertigo is usually caused by a problem in the inner ear. Your inner ear plays a major role in helping you maintain balance by sending important information about head and body movements with relation to gravity. Any problem that interferes with this communication can lead to vertigo.

Symptoms of vertigo:

• Feeling that you are
  • Spinning
  • Tilting
  • Swaying
  • Not balanced
  • Being pulled in a direction
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Headache
• Abnormal eye movement
• Sweating
• Ringing in the years

Causes of Vertigo

Vertigo can be caused by various conditions. A comprehensive examination and diagnostic tests will help diagnose the problem.  The cause: may be:

A buildup of fluid in the ear that changes the pressure in the ear. This condition called Meniere’s Disease causes vertigo accompanied by a ringing in the ear

A viral infection of the inner ear that causes a condition called vestibular neuritis or labyrinthitis. It causes an inflammation of the inner ear leading to vertigo

Small calcium particles may collect in the inner ear disrupting normal function and sense of balance.

Head or neck injury, stroke, brain tumour and migraines can also cause vertigo

Certain medications can damage your inner ear and cause vertigo

Treatment options for Vertigo

Generally, vertigo gets better by itself as your brain adapts and regains balance through other means. If it does not get better, then you will require treatment. Treatment will depend on the cause of your problem. Treatments include:

Medications to cure the infection, control nausea and motion sickness, and reduce swelling

Vestibular rehabilitation to strengthen the communication to the brain

Canalith repositioning maneuvers to move the calcium particles out of the canal

Surgery to treat more serious conditions such as tumour or injury

If you have developed symptoms of vertigo and if they do not seem to get better, seek medical help. Early diagnosis can help you get back to normal life sooner rather than later.