Vertigo is a feeling that makes you feel like you or what you see are spinning. Frequently, nausea, vomiting and loss of balance may accompany this condition. Vertigo is often referred to as dizziness. However, in reality, not every vertigo is vertigo. Attacks in vertigo may be vague or severe enough to prevent the person from doing daily activities. Vertigo diagnosis, Causes of Vertigo, Vertigo symptoms, When should a doctor be consulted? How is vertigo treatment done?
Vertigo diagnosis
Vertigo diagnosisThe first thing to do is to describe the feeling that the patient feels. Then, tests on the central nervous system and inner ear are performed to find the underlying cause. If insufficient blood flow to the brain is suspected, doppler ultrasound, CT angiography, magnetic resonance angiography (MR) or catheter angiography methods can be applied. Treatment is planned depending on the diagnosis.
Causes of vertigo
Vertigo It is mainly caused by central nervous system and inner ear diseases. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common type of vertigo. In this type of vertigo, severe dizziness that lasts for 15 seconds or a few minutes, usually following the movement of the head, is seen. It may occur as a result of shaking the head back and forth or turning over in bed. It is usually seen in the elderly. Respiratory diseases and reduced blood flow to the head area can lead to this condition. Although the findings are disturbing, BPPV is a benign disorder. Usually it does not require treatment.
It can occur as a result of inflammation of the inner ear called vertigo labyrinthitis and vestibular neuritis. The causative agents are usually viruses. The most common factors are influenza, measles, rubella, herpes, mumps, polio, hepatitis and EBV viruses. There may be hearing loss with dizziness.
Another disease in which vertigo is seen is Meniere's disease. In Meniere's disease, tinnitus and hearing loss are seen, except for vertigo symptoms. Meniere's disease progresses in the form of attacks and seizures. Although the cause of the disease is not known exactly, head trauma, viruses, heredity and allergy are among the causes.
- Acoustic neuroma is a type of tumor of the nervous tissue of the inner ear. Tinnitus and hearing loss occur with vertigo.
- Vertigo can also occur as a result of clogged brain vessels or cerebral hemorrhage. Another disease in which vertigo is seen is multiple sclerosis (MS).
- Vertigo can occur after head trauma and neck injuries. Diabetes, low blood sugar, anxiety, and panic disorder are other causes of vertigo.
Vertigo symptoms
In vertigo, the person has a feeling that he or those around him are spinning. Nausea, vomiting, abnormal eye movements and sweating may accompany vertigo. Hearing loss and tinnitus can be seen. Visual impairment, difficulty in walking and changes in consciousness may accompany the picture. Problems accompanying vertigo vary according to the underlying disease that causes vertigo.
When should a doctor be consulted?
If you have the following symptoms along with vertigo, you should consult a doctor immediately:
- Double vision
- Speech difficulties
- Headache
- Weakness in arms and legs
- Loss of balance
- Loss of consciousness
How is vertigo treatment done?
Vertigo treatment is based on the underlying disease. Antibiotics are used if there is a middle ear infection. If there is an infection in the ear that does not heal, surgical treatment may be required. In Menier's disease, patients are given a salt-free diet and diuretic drugs. In benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) the disease spontaneously ends in a few weeks or months. Physicians can perform some positional maneuvers for this patient. Inner ear surgery may be considered for patients who do not recover rarely. Patients with BPPV should avoid sudden head movements, rest, and drink plenty of fluids. They should avoid working at heights and using dangerous equipment. Physical therapy is also used in the treatment of vertigo. It is necessary to avoid caffeine, tobacco and alcohol during vertigo treatment.