What is Vertigo?

Vertigo is a symptom, rather than a diagnosis. It refers to an abnormal sensation of motion, feels like either you or your environment is spinning. Vertigo, along with other symptoms like dizziness, unsteadiness, and imbalance while walking, can occur due to issues in the body’s balance system.

How does the human body maintain balance?

The vestibular system in our body maintains balance, coordinates movements, and maintains steady vision while the head moves. It is a team work, with inputs from the vestibular apparatus (a tiny organ in the inner ear which acts as a motion sensor), vision, and proprioceptors (information from muscles and joints regarding body position). Our brain, the command centre, processes these signals and makes necessary changes in the body posture.

What Causes Vertigo?

The most commonly encountered causes are:

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV): Brief episodes of dizziness triggered by movements such as getting up from bed, lying down or turning in the bed.

Meniere’s disease: A disorder of the inner ear that can affect both hearing and balance.

Vestibular neuritis and labyrinthitis: Inner ear infections that can result in sudden onset of severe continuous vertigo, often accompanied by hearing loss.

Migraines: Some individuals with migraine can experience vertigo in their lifetime.

Neurological disorders like stroke, multiple sclerosis, tumours, Parkinsons disease.

It is important to note that vertigo-like symptoms can also occur due to several other medical conditions NOT related to the ear, such as heart diseases, anxiety or panic attacks, side effects of certain medications, ageing, orthostatic hypotension, etc.

How is Vertigo Diagnosed?

Vertigo evaluation includes a combination of a detailed patient history, physical examination, and certain tests such as videonystagmography (VNG), hearing tests, and scans like an MRI or CT scan when necessary.

What are the treatment Options for Vertigo

Treatment for vertigo depends on the underlying cause and can include:

Repositioning manoeuvres in BPPV

Medications: You may be prescribed medications to alleviate vertigo symptoms or treat the underlying conditions. Please ensure the medications are taken only for the prescribed duration.

Vestibular rehabilitation: This involves specific exercises and activities to help improve balance and overcome dizziness.

Lifestyle changes: Avoiding certain triggers, such as caffeine, alcohol, and stress, and making modifications to your lifestyle and environment.

Surgical interventions: Rarely, surgery may be recommended to address the underlying cause.

How do I manage vertigo at home?

Self-Care Tips for managing vertigo till you seek medical attention

Stay hydrated and remain calm.

Avoid sudden changes in head position, use caution when moving around, especially at night.

Sit or lie down at the onset of vertigo symptoms

Avoid driving or operating heavy machinery if you are experiencing vertigo/dizziness

Seek prompt medical attention if you have new or severe symptoms of vertigo, loss of consciousness, weakness or numbness, difficulty speaking, high fever, severe headache, visual disturbances like blurring of vision, double vision etc.

Vertigo can be a terrifying experience to the patient and challenging for the treating physician to diagnose. However, with the right care and management strategies, it is possible to be symptom free over time. If you have concerns about vertigo or are experiencing such symptoms, don’t hesitate to reach out to a doctor for guidance and support.

Disclaimer: This information is meant to provide a basic understanding of vertigo and is not a replacement for professional medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional for personalized guidance based on your individual situation.