The sudden sensation that makes your world spin wildly is a pretty overwhelming condition. Many believe Vertigo has something to do with inner ear problems, but it is not always the case. While inner ear problems and BPPV remain the prominent triggers of this uncomfortable condition, other rare or hidden causes include CNS issues, migraines, head injuries, vestibular neuritis, or Meniere’s disease.
While Vertigo can be treated by otolaryngologists or ENT doctors, in some cases, you need to consult the best neurologist in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and Kendrapara from BCure.
Let’s learn about this topic in detail. In this article, we have mentioned the meaning of Vertigo, rare and common triggers of Vertigo, symptoms, and treatment options.
What is Vertigo?
Vertigo is a feeling or sensation where you feel like everything around you is moving or spinning rapidly. Many would describe it as a terrible sensation that makes them off-balance as it appears the room around them is whirling or tilting.
In some cases, it can come suddenly, which is known as an episode, or spell. Meanwhile, sometimes, vertigo comes with other issues such as nausea, headache, sweating, vomiting, or tinnitus. A single episode can last for episodes and can go up to hours.
Vertigo generally occurs due to issues in systems responsible for processing signals including spatial orientation and balance. It can prevent people from doing their daily activities. While it is temporary for many, some people face frequent spells, which can be pretty daunting.
Now, if you read the description of Vertigo, it may seem similar to Dizziness. However, they are both different, in terms of symptoms, and the reason behind it as well.
Difference between Vertigo and Dizziness
In vertigo, you feel a certain kind of dizziness where it seems everything around you is moving or spinning. You start losing your spatial orientation, and overall balance. Most describe it as if the room is spinning or tilting around you.
Dizziness is often accompanied by a combination of sensations like light-headedness, unsteadiness, or feeling of imbalance. The confusion between vertigo and dizziness often comes from the fact that both give you a sensation of imbalance. In Vertigo, you feel your surroundings spinning, whereas in dizziness, you not only feel the same as dizziness, but also sometimes feel woozy, weak, and unsteady.
While Vertigo is often a result of inner ear problems, Dizziness can happen due to different issues that include inner ear issues, low blood pressure, fever, migraine, fatigue, side effects and more. Although, it is a popular belief that Vertigo is often caused due to inner ear disorders that is not the whole truth. There are several hidden causes behind Vertigo, and you may need a professional ENT or neurologist for treatment.
Symptoms, and Hidden Reasons behind Vertigo
Hormonal Change, Stress, or Lack of Sleep
Sometimes vertigo can come with a migraine on the side. Unlike regular migraines, vestibular migraines are different. This type of migraine occurs with issues related to the vestibular system of your body, which plays a vital role in managing the spatial orientation and balance in your body.
Vestibular Migraines can lead to vertigo, and dizziness, sometimes associated with nausea or vomiting. Sometimes it is not generally due to inner ear problems, but due to factors like hormonal changes, lack of sleep, extreme stress and consumption of certain foods.
Duration: Episodes may last from a few minutes to several hours.
Vestibular migraines can be diagnosed and treated with the help of a professional neurologist, ENT specialist or headache specialist.
Taking Ototoxic Medications
Your vertigo may be coming from an inner ear issue, but the cause of it may be something entirely different. This is because some consuming ototoxic medications. In such cases, you will notice vertigo right after taking the medication.
You shouldn’t take it lightly, as it can cause temporary or permanent hair loss. If it happens to you, you must consult your nearby physician or pharmacy for a proper diagnosis. Your doctor might adjust the dose, or ask you to discontinue and suggest alternative medications.
Lodged Calcium Crystal Inside Ears
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) is a type of vertigo that happens when you move your head in a certain direction. It is characterised by dizziness, sometimes vomiting, accompanied by involuntary eye movements during the episode.
BPPV happens when calcium crystals get dislodged in the inner ear and can only be diagnosed through special physical examination and positional tests by a trained ENT specialist or vestibular therapist. Your physical therapist can also help dislodge those accumulated crystals through Canalith repositioning manoeuvres.
Viral Infection, or Autoimmune Condition
Exposure to certain viruses such as herpes simplex, or Epstein – Barr virus can infect your vestibular nerve, causing vestibular neuritis. If you are suffering from this condition, you will often experience sudden and severe vertigo that comes without any prior warning. In extreme cases, you may lose hearing usually one side of your ear. A notable thing about vestibular neuritis is that it often comes with nausea and vomiting.
Vestibular neuritis can also be caused by inflammation in the vestibular nerve that disrupts the transmission of signs between the inner ear and the brain. Sometimes, this condition can occur after you recover from a viral infection. This is because, even after the recovery, vestibular inflammation might persist.
Sometimes your body’s natural immune system may mistakenly attack your vestibular nerve causing the inflammation. This condition is called Autoimmune Inner Ear Disease (AIED) and can be treated by a trained ENT specialist, who works along with rheumatologists, or immunologists. Treatments may include corticosteroids and immunosuppressive medications.
If you suspect your vertigo is due to Vestibular Neuritis, you must get an appointment with an ENT specialist or neurologist in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, or Kendrapara from BCure.
Fullness within Ears
Meniere’s disease can also cause recurrent or severe episodes of vertigo along with hearing loss, and tinnitus. The fullness or pressure in the ear usually is caused by fluid build-up in the inner ear. You can contact an ENT specialist for treatment that also includes lifestyle changes, and medications, and may need surgical options.
Conclusion
Though we often view vertigo as solely an inner ear disorder, emerging science reveals that dysfunctional stress reactions play a significant role in chronic vertigo. As researchers continue uncovering the brain’s complex processing of spatial signals and stress, new horizons for more effective vertigo treatments targeted at these central mechanisms will hopefully continue opening up and providing relief. In the meantime, activities which calm the nervous system may help mitigate frequent spells. By better understanding the hidden roots of vertigo in the brain, sufferers can potentially find their way back to balance.
