INFORMATION ON VERTIGO

Dizziness is lightheadedness, feeling like you might faint, being unsteady, loss of balance, or vertigo. Most causes of dizziness are not serious and either quickly resolve on their own or are easily treated. Vertigo, or dizziness, is a symptom, not a disease. The term vertigo refers to the sensation of spinning or whirling that occurs as a result of a disturbance in balance. It also may be used to describe feelings of dizziness, lightheadedness, faintness, and unsteadiness. The sensation of movement is called subjective vertigo and the perception of movement in surrounding objects is called objective vertigo. Vertigo usually occurs as a result of a disorder in the vestibular system. The vestibular system is responsible for integrating sensory stimuli and movement and for keeping objects in visual focus as the body moves.

SYNONYMS OF VERTIGO

Synonyms and related keywords:
1. Headaches.
2. Positional vertigo.
3. Basilar artery migraine.
4. Bickerstaff syndrome.
5. Episodic true vertigo.
6. Benign recurrent vertigo in adults.
7. Benign paroxysmal vertigo of childhood.

CAUSES OF VERTIGO

Lightheadedness happens when there is not enough blood getting to the brain. This can happen if there is a sudden drop in your blood pressure or you are dehydrated from vomiting, diarrhea, fever, or other causes. More serious conditions that can lead to lightheadedness include heart problems, stroke, and severe drop in blood pressure. The most common causes of vertigo are benign positional vertigo and labyrinthitis. Labyrinthitis usually follows a cold or flu and is caused by a viral infection of the inner ear. Meniere's disease is another common inner ear problem. It causes vertigo, loss of balance, and ringing in the ears.

SYMPTOMS OF VERTIGO

A patient may experience severe vertigo for days or weeks. Nausea, vomiting, and involuntary eye movements are common. The condition gradually improves, but symptoms can persist for weeks or months.

Other sins can be:

1. Vertigo.
2. Sensation of spinning.
3. Room spinning sensation.
4. Balance problems.
5. Nausea.
6. Vomiting.

DIAGNOSIS OF VERTIGO

The diagnosis of vertigo is made based on the description of what the person is feeling. The eyes are checked for abnormal movements, such as nystagmus. Further tests may be needed such as Computed tomography scan or magnetic resonance imaging may be ordered if a stroke or brain tumor is suspected. A brain stem auditory evoked response test may be used to check for a tumor.

TREATMENT OF VERTIGO

Treatment depends on the diagnosis. A complete medical evaluation is recommended for anyone with vertigo. This can reveal the true cause and suggest one or more solutions based upon treating the underlying disorder. Taking the drug scopolamine can help prevent as well as treat vertigo.