Dizziness is one of the leading health complaints in the United States and affects an estimated nine million people annually. Dizziness describes any feeling of instability, while vertigo is a specific type of dizziness characterized by the feeling that you or your environment is moving or spinning, despite the lack of any actual movement.
Symptoms Associated with Dizziness and Vertigo
Patients who experience dizziness report a variety of other symptoms, including:
- Lightheadedness
- Fainting
- Unsteadiness
- Weakness
- Confusion
- Disorientation
- Blurred Vision
Technically speaking, vertigo is a symptom itself rather than a disease. It may be accompanied by additional symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, hearing loss, tinnitus, difficulty focusing or moving the eyes, double vision and a feeling of fullness in the ear.
What Causes These Conditions?
The brain receives signals from the vestibular system about the position of the head in relation to movement; this is what allows us to maintain our balance. Vertigo and dizziness occur when these systems are disrupted, which results in patients feeling movement that isn’t there.
Vertigo is one of the most common causes of dizziness. There are two types of vertigo: peripheral and central.
Peripheral vertigo is most common and relates to an issue with the inner ear. Causes include:
- Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV): Occurs when calcium deposits in the inner ear become dislodged.
- Ménière’s disease: Involves excess fluid in the inner ear.
- Labyrinthitis: Refers to inflammation of the inner ear’s labyrinth and vestibular nerve because of a viral infection.
- Vestibular neuronitis: Occurs when a viral infection causes the vestibular nerve to be inflamed.
Central vertigo is less frequently diagnosed and results from a problem in the brain. Causes include:
- Migraines
- Acoustic neuroma
- Strokes
- Tumors
- Multiple sclerosis
- Alcohol and certain drugs
Additional causes of dizziness include low blood pressure, anemia dehydration, heat-related disorders, endocrine system disorders (e.g., diabetes, thyroid disease), heart conditions, high blood pressure, viral and bacterial infections, head trauma, hyperventilation, neurological disorders and certain medications.
How Are Dizziness and Vertigo Treated?
Treatment will depend on what’s causing your symptoms and how severe it is. Some forms disappear without treatment. The most common type, BPPV, responds well to head maneuvers while other types are successfully treated with medication. Physical therapy is another option.
Call All Generations Audiology for more information or to schedule an appointment.