Vertigo

Vertigo is a specific type of dizziness characterized by a sensation of spinning, swaying, or tilting, often accompanied by feelings of nausea, vomiting, sweating, and a loss of balance. It's important to note that vertigo is a symptom rather than a condition itself and can be caused by various underlying factors.

Here are some key points about vertigo:

1. Causes:

   • Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): This is the most common cause of vertigo and is often triggered by changes in head position, such as rolling over in bed or looking up.
   • Inner Ear Disorders: Conditions affecting the inner ear, such as vestibular neuritis or labyrinthitis (inflammation of the vestibular nerve or labyrinth), Ménière's disease (a disorder of the inner ear characterized by episodes of vertigo, hearing loss, and ringing in the ears), and vestibular migraine, can cause vertigo.
   • Other Causes: Vertigo can also be a symptom of other medical conditions, such as acoustic neuroma (a benign tumor on the vestibular nerve), multiple sclerosis, stroke, head injury, medication side effects, and anxiety disorders.

2. Symptoms:

   • Sensation of spinning, tilting, swaying, or feeling unsteady.
   • Nausea and vomiting.
   • Sweating.
   • Abnormal eye movements (nystagmus).
   • Loss of balance or coordination.
   • Headaches.
   • Ringing in the ears (tinnitus).

Overall, the management of vertigo involves addressing the underlying cause and providing symptomatic relief to improve the patient's quality of life and reduce the risk of falls or accidents associated with loss of balance. It's important for individuals experiencing recurrent or severe vertigo to seek medical evaluation for proper diagnosis and management.