Vertigo Causes and Treatment Options

Have you ever felt that the world was spinning or ever felt a sensation of spinning? If so, what you have experienced is a condition known as vertigo. Vertigo is a medical condition that is most commonly related to inner ear problems. Our inner ear contains a vestibular system that serves the purpose of making sure that we are aware of our location at all times. A nerve known as the vestibulocochlear nerve is responsible for sending signals to our brains about our body’s balance and position. When this system gets disturb it then results in vertigo occurring.

Signs of Vertigo

• Spinning sensation
• Unsteadiness
• Unbalanced feeling
• Headaches
• Ears ringing/hearing loss
• Abnormal eye movements

What Causes Vertigo

• Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) – Majority of the time Vertigo is developed due to BPPV which usually affects those over the age of 60 and originates because the canaliths becoming dislocated and causing the inner section of your ear to become irritated.

• Labyrinthitis/ Vestibular Neuritis - When the labyrinth becomes inflamed and swollen. This leads to the spinning or whirling feeling that you experience.

• Meniere’s disease - This chronic ear disorder most commonly affects adults in their 40’s and 50’s but anyone can contract it. It causes spontaneous hearing loss among other side effects.

• Migraine Headaches – Most commonly affect those who have balance disorders or who have relatives who experience migraine headaches frequently.
Treatment Options for Vertigo

• Canalith Repositioning Procedure – A procedure that involves relocating calcium particles out of the inner ear’s problem areas and placing them into analternativelocation so they cannot cause harm and can be absorbed safely. This procedure is usually performed by doctors, chiropractors, or therapists.

• Epley Maneuver – This is the most common treatment option for Vertigo. To have the procedure performed the patient must lie on their back. Their head has to danglea little over the surface at a titled angle of 45 degrees towards the ear that is causing the problems. The medical professional who is performing the procedure will then move the patients head into different places while holding it in each position for a few moments until they have positioned the patients head at a 90 degree angle towards the healthy ear.

Sometimes medical professionals will prescribe medications to help reduce Vertigo symptoms when they are caused by migraines or Meniere’s disease. Other than that you should find it getting better once a medical professional has treated you.