What is vertigo?

Vertigo is the sensation of spinning and lightheadedness. Both nausea and balance issues may result from it. Vertigo is caused by a problem with the brain, sensory nerve route, or inner ear. Possible causes include pregnancy, stroke, and labyrinthitis.

What are the symptoms of vertigo?

Symptoms you may experience when you have vertigo include:

Dizziness.
Nausea and vomiting.
Balance problems.
Hearing loss in one ear or both ears.
Tinnitus (ringing in your ears).
Headaches.
Motion sickness.
A feeling of fullness in your ear.
Nystagmus (an illness that causes your eyes to move uncontrollably from side to side in rapid movements).

What causes vertigo?

Vertigo reasons vary from person to person and might include:

Migraine headache.
Medications, including antibiotics, anti-inflammatory and cardiac medicines.
Stroke.
Arrhythmia.
Diabetes.
Head injuries.
Prolonged bed rest.
Shingles in or close to your ear.
Surgery on the ear.
Perilymphatic fistula (when the inner fluid of the ear escapes into your middle ear).
Hyperventilation (breathing heavily).
Low blood pressure (your blood pressure goes down when you stand).
Ataxia (weak muscles).
Syphilis.
Otosclerosis (a bone growth problem in your middle ear).
Brain diseases.
Multiple sclerosis (MS).
Acoustic neuroma.

What are the complications of vertigo?

Vertigo may lead to falls, which might cause bone fractures (broken bones) or other injuries. Vertigo may also disrupt your quality of life and make driving or commuting to work harder.

How do physicians diagnose vertigo?

A primary care doctor or ear-nose-throat (ENT) specialist can diagnose vertigo. The doctor will ask about your symptoms, examine your inner ear, and check your eye movements.

You may have one or more of these tests to find the cause of your vertigo:

Hearing tests: These tests check for a problem with the nerve in your inner ear.
Caloric testing: To determine whether it makes you feel lightheaded, an audiologist will blow warm or cold air into your inner ear. Acoustic nerve injury can be detected by the test.
Electronystagmography: The test examines your eye movements to determine how efficiently the vestibular nerve and other nerves in your inner ear and brain are functioning.
Fukuda-Unterberger test: March in place for 30 seconds with your eyes shut. You may have an inner ear issue if you lean or turn to one side.
Head impulse test: Your physician rotates your head from side to side as you watch the wall or other stationary object. This test can identify an issue with the balance system of your inner ear.
Romberg's test: Stand still with feet together and eyes closed. If you become unsteady, it may be due to an issue with your brain or spinal cord.
Vestibular test battery: These tests look for issues with the vestibular system of your inner ear.
Imaging tests: MRI and CT scans can diagnose issues in your inner ear or brain.

How do doctors treat vertigo?

Vertigo therapy is based on the underlying reason. Practitioners apply an assortment of treatment methods, and they might be one or a combination of the following:

Repositioning manemanoeuvresdicating for vertigo.
Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (vertigo exercises).
Surgery.
Repositioning manoeuvres

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) occurs when small calcium carbonate crystals (canaliths) break away from your utricle in your inner ear (where they naturally stay) into your semicircular canals. This will provoke vertigo symptoms, particularly as you move your head position.

Canalith repositioning treatments, such as the Epley manoeuvre, may cause the crystals to move out of your semicircular canals and back into your utricle. The manoeuvres involve a series of controlled head movements. A physician can conduct a canalith repositioning procedure as an outpatient visit. They can also instruct you on how to perform it at home.

Vertigo medication

Medication can be useful in certain instances of acute vertigo (sudden onset, brief duration). Doctors can prescribe motion sickness drugs (such as meclizine or dimenhydrinate) or antihistamines (such as cyclizine) to alleviate vertigo symptoms.

Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (vertigo exercises)

Vestibular rehabilitation therapy typically consists of a series of exercises to enhance typical vertigo symptoms such as dizziness, unsteady vision and balance problems. Your treatment will be customized by a healthcare provider based on your individual needs. Stretching, strengthening, eye movement control and marching in place are some of the exercises you might be doing. Your provider can instruct you on how to perform these exercises at home so you can control your symptoms whenever you experience a vertigo attack.

Surgery

It is uncommon, but sometimes you will require surgery if an underlying serious medical problem — such as a brain tumour or neck damage — is responsible for vertigo. Doctors usually only consider surgery if other interventions fail. Your doctor or surgeon will inform you what procedure you will require and what to anticipate.

How to prevent vertigo?

You may not be able to prevent vertigo with home remedies, but you can alleviate symptoms with some self-care measures. Some home remedies for vertigo are listed below:

Increase your intake of water, sports drinks, or other fluids. Dehydration exacerbates vertigo.
Manage stress. Use relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation to relax before anxiety can impair your balance.
Restrict caffeine, alcohol, salt, and tobacco. These items enhance dizziness.
Lie down in a dark, quiet room. This can reduce the spinning.
Move gradually. Walk, exit the bed, and turn your head gradually to avoid dizziness. Use a cane if necessary to prevent falls. Sit or lie down immediately if you begin to feel dizzy. Bend at the knees rather than leaning forward from the waist when picking up something.

Is vertigo inherited?

Occasionally, vertigo may be genetic. Otherwise called familial benign recurrent vertigo, inherited vertigo is a migrainous form of vertigo because it is closely linked to the occurrence of migraines.

When do I call my doctor?

If your vertigo happens regularly or you have very intense bouts, now's the time to call your doctor. You might have an underlying health disorder creating your symptoms.

When do I need to go to the ER?

Call your local emergency services number or visit the closest emergency room if you get vertigo with:

Chest pain.
Heart palpitations.
Sudden headache.
Trouble walking.
A temperature above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius).
Vision changes.
Weakness in one arm or leg.

Do not drive while you have vertigo. If a family member or friend is not around to drive you, call your local emergency services number.

Why Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital for vertigo Treatment in Lucknow, India?

Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital offers Vertigo Treatment in Lucknow, India. We have experienced team of ENT specialists who provide accurate diagnosis, advanced vestibular testing, and customised therapy including repositioning manoeuvres and rehabilitation for patients suffering from dizziness, balance issues, and inner ear disorders.