Dizziness and Vertigo: What are They? What Leads to Their Formation and How to Manage Them.
Vertigo and dizziness are some of the complications that most of us will have to endure at one time in their life. Although the terms dizziness and vertigo are used synonymously, they are in fact two distinct feelings. Dizziness is a way of describing a phenomenon of unsteadiness, lightheadedness, while vertigo denotes a spinning-like sensation whether self or environment. They can both be quite distressing, which is why, if they are being caused by neurological disorders, people need to have some idea of what is happening and how it can be fixed.
What are Dizziness and Vertigo?
First, let’s clarify what dizziness and vertigo feel like:
Vertigo in contrast to dizziness, can be described as a spinning or whirling sensation. It may also feel as if the person is going to fall and get dizzy, although the environment is perfectly still.
While dizziness entails a feeling of disorientation such that you feels that you or your environment is rotating or moving, even when it is at rest, vertigo is a form of dizziness. The sensation makes one feel like the room is rotating around you, or you are tilting or swaying in the room and this is very confusing.
While both of them involve balance of some sort, vertigo typically refers to a spinning sensation of some sort, while dizziness is broader.
Symptoms and Causes of Imbalance and Vertigo
Dizziness and vertigo may originate in any place in the body but when the cause of dizziness and vertigo is neurological, this usually means that there is a problem with the parts of the body that are involved in controlling balance. Your balance system comprised of inner ear, brainstem which is basically the control house of your body including heart rate and breathing and the cerebellum which is the part of your brain that coordinates movement. If there is something wrong with any of the three, this can cause dizziness.
Let’s break down the different neurological causes of dizziness and vertigo:
Peripheral causes of inner ear disorders are most common and include the following:
This body part is inside your head and it makes sure that you do not fall over. The sense organs it encompasses are small and are receptive to any movement and immediately relay information to the brain on balance and direction. Dizziness or vertigo occurs when there is a problem with the inner ear.
- Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): This is one of the major causes of vertigo which is, however, quite frequent among elderly people. BPPV develops when calcium carbonate crystals in your inner ear become displaced by obstructing factors and end up in the wrong area of the ear, which then triggers the spinning sensation whenever you change positions. Fortunately, BPPV can be managed and in many cases cured through some maneuvers which involve physical manipulation by a physician or physiotherapist to relocate the crystals to their proper position.
- Vestibular Neuritis: This is an inammation of the vestibular nerve in the inner ear that sends balance signal to the brain. It often follows a viral infection, and this results in sudden intense spinning that may be prolonged for days, but hearing is spared. The symptoms of dizziness subside through time and this can be attributed to the non-operation of the gadget during the night.
- Meniere’s Disease: It is a disease characterized by accumulation of uid in the inner ear, resulting to periods of spinning and dizziness, ringing in the ears, gradual hearing impairment, and feel of fullness in the affected ears. It may be a chronic condition, and there is no treatment for Meniere’s disease; however, it is possible to address the signs.
Disorders in the Head (Central Origins)
The brainstem and cerebellum are responsible for receiving and interpreting signals from your body concerning the position of balance. When these areas are disturbed, dizziness and vertigo are such of the possible symptoms.
- Vestibular Migraine: The majority of people suffering from vertigo experience the condition within the framework of a migraine headache. This is known as vestibular migraine and may lead to episodes of dizziness lasting for a few minutes and which are usually preceded by head- ache, nausea and photophobia or phonophobia. These episodes may range from several minutes to several hours and can occur even in the absence of a migraine.
- Stroke: Disorder of balance can be caused due to stroke that happens in brainstem or cerebellum which may lead to dizziness or vertigo. This is usually a one-time occurrence and may be preceded by other signs such as tingling, slurred speech, or the inability to move the part of the body on one side. If you experience dizziness along with other symptoms it’s advisable to go to the hospital instantly.
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS): MS is an autoimmune similar to rheumatoid arthritis; it affects the entire body nervous system including the balance center in the brain. MS has the potential of making a person experience episodes of vertigo, dizziness and other issues relating to coordination.
- Cerebellar Ataxia: Ataxia means a coordination problem and, when it concerns the cerebellum, might lead to dizziness, clumsy, and unsteady walk, as well as issues with hand movements.
Other Neurological Conditions
Other neurological conditions can also contribute to dizziness and vertigo:
- Brain Tumors: Any tumor which develops in the part of the brain is liable to result in dizziness or vertigo especially if it is within regions responsible for balance. The signs and symptoms might appear gradually, and other neurological signs could include headaches for example, blurred vision or changes in thinking.
Management of Dizziness and Vertig
Knowing how to manage dizziness and vertigo is crucial to dealing with these distressing symptoms. While treatment options vary based on the underlying cause, there are several approaches commonly used to help alleviate or resolve these conditions:
- Medications: For cases of vestibular neuritis, Meniere’s disease, or vestibular migraine, your doctor may prescribe medications such as antihistamines, sedatives, or anti-nausea drugs to help control dizziness and prevent nausea. If your vertigo is related to a migraine, medications used to treat migraines, such as triptans or beta-blockers, may be effective.
- Physical Therapy: If your dizziness is caused by a problem with the inner ear, particularly BPPV, physical therapy through vestibular rehabilitation can be helpful. Vestibular rehabilitation involves specic exercises designed to help retrain your brain to compensate for balance problems. The Epley maneuver, which involves a series of head movements, can be especially useful for treating BPPV.
- Surgical Options: In some rare cases, surgery may be required. This may include surgical procedures for treating Meniere’s disease or other chronic conditions that don’t respond to medication. If a brain tumor is causing the vertigo or dizziness, surgery may also be necessary to remove the tumor.
- Lifestyle Changes: For conditions like Meniere’s disease, lifestyle changes can help manage symptoms. This might include dietary adjustments, such as reducing salt intake or avoiding caffeine and alcohol. Staying hydrated and practicing stress-reduction techniques can also be helpful for some people.
- Emergency Care: If dizziness is accompanied by other serious symptoms, such as sudden weakness, confusion, or difculty speaking, it is essential to seek emergency medical attention immediately. Stroke or serious neurological conditions could be the underlying cause and require urgent treatment.
When to Seek Help
If you’re experiencing persistent or severe dizziness or vertigo, it’s important to see a doctor for an accurate diagnosis. While many causes of dizziness and vertigo are relatively benign and treatable, some conditions, like strokes or brain tumors, can be life-threatening and require urgent care.
To recap, dizziness and vertigo are symptoms that can have a variety of causes, particularly when they’re related to neurological disorders. The good news is that many causes of dizziness and vertigo can be effectively treated with medications, physical therapy, or lifestyle changes. It’s important to see a healthcare provider to get to the bottom of your symptoms and to determine the best course of action for treatment.
