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  1. Overview - Vertigo

    Verified Expert
    A sense of spinning experienced even when someone is perfectly still.
    Condition Highlight
    Urgent medical attention is usually recommended by healthcare providers
    Condition Highlight
    Certain types can be dangerous or life threatening
    How common is condition?
    Common (More than 200,000 cases per year in US)
    Is condition treatable?
    Treatable by a medical professional
    Does diagnosis require lab test or imaging?
    Requires lab test or imaging
    Time taken for recovery
    Can last several months
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    Causes

    Verified Expert

    Peripheral vertigo, the most common type, is often caused by a problem with the balance mechanisms of the inner ear.

    • Vertigo is a symptom of several different conditions.
    • The Causes include:
    • Side effects of some medication
    • Vestibular neuronitis (inflammation of vestibular nerve cells; may be caused by viral infection)
    • Head injuries
    • Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
    • Labyrinthitis is inflammation within the inner ear
    • Excess alcohol
    • BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo) may occur for no apparent reason, or it may develop after:
    • An ear infection
    • Ear surgery
    • Head injury
    • Prolonged bed rest
    • The risk factors include:
    • Age above 50 years old
    • Gender- more common in women
    • Head injury

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    Symptoms

    Verified Expert
    Seek immediate medical attention if you experience symptoms.

    Vertigo can be sudden and may last for a few seconds, or much longer. If you have severe vertigo, your symptoms may be constant and last for several days, making normal life very difficult.

    Most common vertigo symptoms can include:

    • Spinning sensation
    • Feeling dizzy
    • Nausea
    • Vomiting
    • Fever
    • Ringing sound in the ears
    • Abnormal eye movements
    • Loss of hearing
    • Difficulty balancing
    • Changes in blood pressure and heart rate
    • Inability to concentrate

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    What are the symptoms of vertigo?
    Vertigo patients feel as though their surroundings are spinning or moving, even when they are standing perfectly still. Other symptoms and effects associated with vertigo include: Abnormal eye movements, a condition known as nystagmus. Bouts of nausea. Frequent headaches. Excessive sweating.
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    Treatment

    Verified Expert

    Treatment for vertigo depends on the cause and severity of symptoms. During a vertigo attack, lying still in a quiet, darkened room may help to ease any symptoms of nausea and reduce the sensation of spinning. Some may be advised to take medication.

    Medication

    Corticosteroids: Maybe given for acute vestibular neuritis with gradual tapering of the dose.

    Methylprednisolone

    Antibiotics: Are given in case of bacterial infection of the middle ear.

    Amoxicillin

    Vestibular suppressants: Drugs that reduce the intensity of vertigo and nystagmus evoked by a vestibular imbalance.

    Meclizine

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    Diagnosis

    Verified Expert
    One or more of these tests may be recommended by your medical provider.
    Physical test includes looking inside ears and checking eyes for signs of uncontrollable movement (nystagmus). Depending on symptoms, doctors may refer to a hospital or specialist for further tests.

    Common tests & procedures

    Audiometry: Person listens to the sounds of different volume and pitch through headphones and respond.

    Tuning fork test: Tester taps tuning fork before holding it at each side of head as it produces sound waves at a fixed pitch.

    Electronystagmography (ENG): Can electronically record the nystagmus (eye movements).

    Videonystagmography (VNG): To check for nystagmus (eye movements) associated with BPPV.

    Posturography (Test of balance): Test to measure coordination of ears, eyes and rest of the body to control balance.

    Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): A detailed image of inside of skull to check for abnormalities.

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    Source: Focus Medica. For informational purposes only. Consult a medical professional for advice.
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    Table of Contents
    Overview
    Causes
    Symptoms
    What are the symptoms of vertigo?
    Treatment
    Health guide
    Diagnosis
     
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