What Causes Vertigo?

Vertigo is a very scary feeling, it comes all of a sudden, wherever you are and whatever you’re doing.  It can occur even when you are in the workplace, or in a social gathering.

Whenever you experience a vertigo attack, one of the things that you ask yourself, what caused this episode of dizziness or vertigo.  You feel dizzy, either an inner sense of dizziness or an actual spinning of the environment, you feel like you are going to be sick or nauseous, become unstable on your feet and suffer a fall, you get anxious, fearful and even get depressed as a result.  Falls are the leading cause of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and bone fractures, even accidental deaths in persons over age of 65 yrs.

There are a variety of causes of a vertigo.  It can be hypertension or can be inner ear related, neurologic related, toxicity from exposure to chemicals, or from trauma.  Inner ear related can include BPPV or Benign Paroxysmal Positioning Vertigo, Vestibular Neuritis, Meniere’s Disease, Vestibular Schwannoma/Acoustic Neuroma to name a few.  Neurological disorder can include Migraine, Mal De Debarquement (MDDS), Multiple Sclerosis among others.  85% of vertigo and balance dysfunction maybe inner ear related.  50% of individuals over age 70 yrs will experience BPPV.

BPPV is one of the most common causes of vertigo or dizziness.  BPPV is when the crystals in the ear dislocated to the canals.  They can be in the posterior canal, anterior canal, horizontal canal or multi-canals.  It can also be unilaterally or bilaterally.  Most commonly affects posterior canal.   Rarely in the anterior canal.  It causes sensitivity to changes in position.  This is diagnosed by an MD or can be assessed by a Vestibular Assessment and Management Therapist using tests such as Dix-Hallpike (modified) positioning maneuver.

Symptoms can include nystagmus (rotary-torsional nystagmus or horizontal nystagmus), nausea, dizziness for short duration usually 10 secs up to 1 minute.  Vertigo goes away after a short time and then starts again with movement.

BPPV can trouble patients for years with episodes of remission and exacerbation.  It can last weeks to months with spontaneous recovery.  Treatment can include Semont Liberatory Maneuver, Gans Repositioning Maneuver, Log Roll, Kurtzer Hybrid Maneuver depending on the symptoms, side of involvement, and location of the crystals.

If you or someone you love have symptoms of dizziness, talk to your physician or your vestibular rehab therapist for specific assessment and management.  Don’t wait to suffer a fall.  Claim your life back.  Live your life without having the fear of a sudden vertigo attack.  CALL NOW for appointment.  Spots are limited.