Vertigo
Vertigo is a disturbance of balance or spatial orientation. The Latin root of the word vertigo means a whirling or turning movement.
Those affected feel like they or their surroundings are spinning even though they are not moving. This can interfere with everyday life or even cause falls.
Typical vertigo symptoms are:
- feelings of spinning
- lightheadedness / feeling dizzy
- swaying
- inability to stand up and/or walk in a straight line.
Vertigo is often caused by conflicting information from the sensory organs responsible for our sense of balance. These include our eyes, ears, and muscular system.
Common triggers include:
- Being on a carousel or rollercoaster
- Trips by car or boat
- Disorders of the inner ear (including the semicircular canals)
- Arteriosclerosis (diseases of the arteries)
- Blood pressure that is too high or too low
- Changes in the spine, especially the cervical vertebral discs.
Vertigo is not a disease but a symptom of an underlying condition. To cure vertigo permanently, it is important to understand its cause.
Common causes include a dysfunction in one of the systems that control balance, such as the inner ear. Inflammation of the channels in the inner ear or its vestibular nerve (vestibular neuritis) are typical examples.
Other causes can be more systemic and internal. These include high blood pressure, multiple sclerosis, a severe viral infection of the body, and irregular heartbeat.
Vertigo can also be associated with migraines caused by stress, low blood sugar, vitamin B deficiency, or low blood pressure.
How long does vertigo last?
Single attacks can last from a few seconds to several minutes. However, some people can suffer from vertigo for hours, days, or weeks. Depending on the underlying cause, the symptoms can sometimes become permanent.
There are two main types: peripheral and central vertigo.
Peripheral Vertigo is more common and related to the vestibular system in the inner ear. This system coordinates our eye and body movements. When it is not functioning properly, our body loses its sense of balance. This often goes along with ear problems, such as pain, ear ringing, or hearing loss in the right or left ear.
Central Vertigo is related to a problem in the central nervous system, most often in the back part of the brain or the brain stem. This often leads to a feeling of motion of the surroundings or spinning while remaining still. Other symptoms include difficulty swallowing, weakness, or double vision.
Causes of peripheral vertigo are various and include:
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV). This is very common and caused by calcium debris in the inner ear. Symptoms of BPPV are triggered by certain head movements such as lying down, getting up, or rolling over in bed.
A common treatment for this vertigo is the so-called Epley maneuver or canalith repositioning procedure. It includes a series of head movements. When these vertigo exercises are trained by a physical therapist, they can be a helpful vertigo treatment at home.
Ménière's disease. This disorder is caused by a fluid imbalance in the inner ear. It leads to sudden dizziness and vertigo as well as hearing problems or ringing in the ears (tinnitus). Triggers are various and include stress.
Inflammation of the inner ear. These can affect the inner ear channels (the labyrinth), or the nerve that connects the inner ear to the brain.
Central vertigo causes can be more severe and include:
- Certain medications and alcohol
- Psychiatric disorders
- Strokes
- Fluctuations in blood pressure
- Migraine
- Multiple sclerosis
- Certain brain tumours
What are some other triggers of Vertigo?
Orthostatic Vertigo - results from changes in blood pressure when we move quickly from sitting to standing.
Psychogenic Vertigo or psychiatric dizziness - can be attributed to the interaction of the balance system and the psyche. Treatment of the recurring or persistent dizziness must be directed at the underlying causes, such as anxiety or depression.
Motion sickness or travel sickness - is brought on by transportation in a car, plane, or boat. It happens when the signals sent from the inner ear to the brain are different from what the eyes are seeing. This leads to dizziness, nausea, or vomiting as the brain cannot process this information properly.
Treatment is often very unique to each person due to the many different underlying causes.
It can include neck surgery, regulating blood sugar, or certain exercises for vertigo (the Dix-Hallpike maneuver and Epley manoeuvre). Sometimes it requires viral infection treatment, physical therapy, draining fluid-filled ears and others.
Treatment and diagnosis are completed based on clinical practice guidelines. Certain medications may be available depending on the cause.
There are also herbal or homeopathic remedies that can help relieve symptoms of vertigo and dizziness. Ginkgo is known to improve blood circulation. Ginger or chamomile can help with motion sickness and soothe an upset stomach.
When symptoms are impacting daily functioning or getting worse it is important to go to your doctor.
The causes of this symptom can be extremely varied and some can be even life-threatening. It is important to get checked for head injuries and to rule out any heart-related causes.
Sometimes, it is also necessary to see a specialist. The ear and throat doctor can examine the inner ear and the neurologist can check the overall nervous system.
In many cases, balance exercises are a great help. You can do these exercises in physiotherapy, yoga classes, or at home.
If you are prone to dizzy spells, also make sure you have a balanced lifestyle. A healthy lifestyle helps support the central nervous system and decrease inflammation in the body.
A balanced lifestyle should include:
- getting enough sleep and rest
- eating regular, wholesome, and healthy meals
- exercising in the fresh air
- relaxing the neck muscles
- avoiding strong nervous tension
Also, treat any infections that are present that could be causing inflammation in the ear or nerves.
Here are a few tips that can help against travel sickness:
- Get fresh air during your trip.
- Take breaks and use them for exercise. Jumping is a good way to activate your balance organs.
- Try to sit straight behind the front axle of a bus - there, you will feel the least motion.
- Look at the horizon - this helps your eyes to see that you are moving. For the same reason, avoid reading while you are on the journey.
- Distract yourself or your children by playing games such as “I spy with my little eye”.
- Drink plenty of water to avoid low blood pressure.
- Do not travel with an empty or full stomach, but eat light and easily digestible foods before or during the journey.
