Vertigo feels like the ground beneath you is swaying, yet nothing around you moves. This unsettling, dizzying experience affects millions every year. Some episodes come and go, while others persist, disrupting daily life. Understanding vertigo, its causes, symptoms, and treatment options can help you recognize what’s happening and find the right care.
Nirvana Healthcare Management Services believes in spreading awareness about vertigo and offering treatment to patients across Newark and East Orange, NJ. We also offer a range of primary care services and specialties for common underlying reasons for vertigo, including neurological health solutions. Give us a call if you’re continuously experiencing symptoms and receive compassionate, personalized vertigo management.
What is Vertigo?
Vertigo is not just feeling faint or lightheaded. Instead, it’s a distinct sense that you or your surroundings are spinning, tilting, or swaying. People often describe it as feeling “off balance” or as if they’ve just stepped off a merry-go-round. Vertigo itself is a symptom of other issues, not a disease, and while it can hit people of any age, it is more common in older adults.
Forms of Vertigo
Vertigo can be categorized into two primary forms: peripheral and central vertigo. Both of these types of vertigo have unique characteristics and triggers. Recognizing the type of vertigo you’re experiencing is crucial for proper diagnosis and effective care.
- Peripheral Vertigo: By far the most common, peripheral vertigo typically creates more intense but shorter episodes. Most patients find relief through specific treatment techniques and lifestyle modifications, making it highly manageable with proper medical guidance.
- Central Vertigo: Though less common, central vertigo relates to the nervous system and requires different diagnostic tools and treatment methods than peripheral vertigo. Medical professionals take special interest in these cases due to their potentially complex nature. Controlling it often depends on early recognition and specialized medical intervention.
Common Causes of Vertigo
While vertigo may seem to come from nowhere, it often has identifiable triggers. Below, we’ll explore a few frequent reasons for vertigo.
Inner Ear Disorders
The inner ear, home to the delicate balance mechanisms, can be the source of many vertigo-inducing conditions. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), a common culprit, occurs when tiny calcium crystals within the inner ear become dislodged, triggering sudden bouts of spinning sensations. Other inner ear disorders, such as Ménière’s disease and vestibular nerve inflammation, can also disrupt the balance system, leading to vertigo.
Neurological Conditions
There may be a brain disorder causing vertigo in some people. This is because certain neurological conditions can interfere with the brain’s ability to process spatial information, resulting in central vertigo. Strokes, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease are examples of neurological disorders that may contribute to vertigo.
Other Causes
Vertigo may also stem from head injuries, migraines, certain medications, and even underlying conditions such as anemia or dehydration.
Typical Vertigo Symptoms
Individuals experiencing vertigo may encounter a range of symptoms, but the intensity and duration of these can vary, with some symptoms lasting only a few seconds while others can persist for days. Below are the hallmarks of both central and peripheral vertigo that you should be aware of. If you face any of these or other symptoms that are similar, do not hesitate to reach out for medical attention.
- Nausea and Vomiting: The intense dizziness of vertigo frequently leads to nausea and, in severe cases, vomiting.
- Balance Problems: Having a spinning sensation or leaning to one side that makes standing or walking difficult.
- Severe Headache or Migraine: Particularly with central vertigo, symptoms may include a throbbing headache or migraine.
- Double Vision or Blurred Vision: Vision changes, such as double vision, may also appear, especially in central vertigo cases.
Recognizing these symptoms and their patterns can help guide you to a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis.
Diagnosis Process for Vertigo
When seeking medical attention for vertigo, healthcare professionals will typically begin with a comprehensive medical history and physical examination. They may also conduct various tests, such as a hearing assessment, balance tests, and imaging scans, to pinpoint the underlying cause. This thorough diagnostic process is crucial for developing an effective treatment plan.
Treatment Options for Vertigo
Vertigo can be extremely overwhelming, but there are several management strategies and other remedies that can provide relief, restore balance, and, in many cases, prevent future episodes.
Medications
In many cases, healthcare providers may prescribe medications to alleviate the symptoms of vertigo. Antihistamines, anti-nausea drugs, and vestibular suppressants are common pharmaceutical interventions used to control vertigo-related discomfort.
Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT)
VRT is a physical therapy designed to retrain the brain and body to balance. Through specific exercises, VRT helps patients adapt to the imbalance caused by vertigo. Many people with recurring vertigo, particularly from vestibular disorders, find long-term relief through consistent VRT.
Canalith Repositioning Maneuvers (for BPPV)
These maneuvers, such as the Epley maneuver, can reposition loose calcium particles in the inner ear to alleviate BPPV. Often performed by a healthcare provider, the repositioning technique can reduce or eliminate vertigo episodes related to BPPV within a few sessions.
Lifestyle Adjustments and Home Care
Incorporating lifestyle modifications, such as avoiding sudden head movements, maintaining proper hydration, and practicing relaxation techniques, can also aid in managing vertigo symptoms. Additionally, utilizing assistive devices, such as canes or walkers, can help improve balance and reduce the risk of falls during episodes.
Surgical Interventions
In rare, severe cases, surgical interventions may be considered to address the underlying cause of vertigo. Procedures like vestibular nerve section or labyrinthectomy may be recommended for individuals with intractable vertigo.
Find Relief from Vertigo with Nirvana Healthcare
If you or a loved one are grappling with the disruptive effects of vertigo, our team at Nirvana Healthcare is here to provide relief. Our experienced healthcare professionals are dedicated to identifying the root cause of your vertigo and developing a personalized treatment plan to restore your balance and quality of life. Don’t let vertigo control your world – take the first step towards relief by contacting Nirvana Healthcare today.
