💥 VERTIGO
– Vertigo is a condition where you feel as if you or your surroundings are spinning or moving. When you have vertigo, you may feel a spinning, whirling, or tipping sensation. Like motion sickness, vertigo also affects your balance and can make you feel nauseous or vomit. However, vertigo is not caused by motion, but by problems in your inner ear or brain.
– Vertigo is most often caused by conditions that affect your vestibular system, which is located in your inner ear. Your vestibular system helps provide your brain with information about your movement, positioning, and where you are in space.
– Vertigo may also be caused by conditions that impact your central nervous system, which includes your brain and spinal cord.
🔅 Potential Causes;-
1). Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)
This is the most common cause of vertigo. It occurs when tiny calcium crystals in your inner ear get dislodged and move into the fluid-filled canals that sense head movement. This causes brief episodes of vertigo when you change your head position, such as when you lie down, sit up, turn over, or bend over.
2). Meniere's disease
This is a disorder of the inner ear that causes episodes of vertigo along with ringing in the ears (tinnitus) and hearing loss. The cause of Meniere's disease is unknown, but it may be related to abnormal fluid pressure in the inner ear.
3). Vestibular neuritis or labyrinthitis
These are infections or inflammations of the inner ear that affect the nerve that connects the inner ear to the brain (vestibular nerve) or the structures that contain fluid and sense balance (labyrinth). They are usually caused by viral infections that spread from the respiratory tract to the ear.
4). Vestibular migraine
This is a type of migraine headache that involves vertigo as one of its symptoms. It may be triggered by stress, hormonal changes, certain foods, medications, or environmental factors.
5). Cerebellar stroke
This is a stroke that affects the part of the brain (cerebellum) that controls balance and coordination. It can cause sudden and severe vertigo along with other neurological symptoms such as slurred speech, weakness, numbness, vision problems, or confusion.
6). Head injuries
Trauma to the head can damage the inner ear or brain structures that are involved in balance and cause vertigo. This may happen immediately after the injury or days or weeks later.
7). Tumors
Tumors affect the central nervous system or inner ear. These are rare but serious causes of vertigo. They can compress or damage the nerves or structures that are involved in balance and cause vertigo along with other symptoms such as hearing loss, facial weakness, headache, or seizures.
8) Multiple sclerosis
This is a chronic disease that affects the protective covering of the nerves in the brain and spinal cord. It can cause vertigo along with other symptoms such as vision problems, numbness, tingling, weakness, fatigue, or cognitive difficulties.
9). Certain types of medications
Some drugs can affect the inner ear or brain and cause vertigo as a side effect. These include antibiotics, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, blood pressure medications, and painkillers.
🔅 Diagnosis of Vertigo
– This calls a physical examination and a check through your medical history and symptoms. Your physician may need to undertake some tests to check your hearing, eye movements, balance, and brain function. These tests may include:
a). Dix-Hallpike test
– This is a test where the doctor moves your head and body in different positions to see if it triggers vertigo. This can help diagnose BPPV.
b). Electronystagmography (ENG) or videonystagmography (VNG)
– These are tests where electrodes or cameras are attached to your eyes to record your eye movements while you look at different visual stimuli or move your head in different directions. This can help assess your inner ear function and diagnose vestibular disorders.
c). Rotary chair test
– This is a test where you sit in a chair that rotates at different speeds while your eye movements are recorded. This can help assess your inner ear function and diagnose vestibular disorders.
d). Posturography
– This is a test where you stand on a platform that moves or tilts while your balance is measured by sensors. This can help assess your balance function and diagnose vestibular disorders.
e). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scan:
– These are imaging tests that use magnetic fields or X-rays to create detailed pictures of your brain and inner ear. This can help detect tumors, strokes, infections, or other abnormalities that may cause vertigo.
🔅 Treatment of Vertigo
– Treatment depends on the cause and severity of your condition. These may include:
1). Medications e.g.,
• Antiemetics:- drugs that can reduce nausea and vomiting.
• Steroids:- drugs that can reduce inflammation and swelling in the inner ear.
• Diuretics:- drugs that can reduce fluid pressure in the inner ear.
• Antimigraine agents:- drugs that can prevent or treat migraines, or
• Antivertigo agents:- drugs that can suppress the activity of the vestibular system.
2). Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT)
– This is a type of physical therapy that involves exercises and activities that can help improve your balance and reduce your sensitivity to motion. It can help you cope with vertigo and prevent falls and injuries.
3). Canalith repositioning maneuvers (CRMs)
– These are techniques that involve moving your head and body in specific ways to help move the calcium crystals out of the fluid-filled canals in your inner ear. They can help treat BPPV.
4). Surgery
– Though rare, it's the last option that is only used for severe cases of vertigo that do not respond to other treatments. It involves removing part or all of the inner ear (labyrinthectomy) or cutting the nerve that connects the inner ear to the brain (vestibular nerve section).
– These procedures can stop vertigo but may also cause permanent hearing loss or balance problems.
