What is Vertigo?

Vertigo is one of the most commonly heard diseases. So, what is Vertigo? What are the symptoms and causes of vertigo? Let us find out in this article. 

Vertigo is the feeling that everything around you is spinning out of control. You can feel lightheaded and unsteady as a result. Vertigo is not a medical condition. Instead, it is a sign of a number of ailments.

Are there different types of vertigo?

Vertigo can come in two major forms:

• Peripheral vertigo: This condition is brought on by an inner ear issue.
• Central vertigo: This occurs when there is a problem with the brain. Brain tumours, infections, traumatic brain injuries, and strokes are a few potential causes.

Vertigo vs. dizziness

Vertigo and dizziness are two symptoms that are related to balance issues, but they are not the same. A general sense of being off-balance characterises dizziness. When you experience vertigo, you may feel as though you are spinning or that you are moving.

Symptoms and Causes of Vertigo

Is vertigo hereditary?

Vertigo is not inherited; however, it can be a sign of several illnesses, some of which are inherited. Therefore, hereditary variables may play a role in frequent vertigo attacks.

What can trigger vertigo?

Vertigo can be caused by a number of syndromes or illnesses. These consist of:

• Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV): BPPV is the most frequent cause of vertigo and is often brought on by an adjustment in head position. When lying down, sitting up, or turning over in bed, people with BPPV frequently experience vertigo.
• Meniere’s disease: This disorder results in fluid accumulation inside the ear, which can trigger vertigo attacks. Tinnitus (ear ringing), fluctuating hearing loss, or a sense of fullness in the ears can also be symptoms of Meniere’s illness.
• Labyrinthitis: Labyrinthitis is the medical term for inflammation or infection of the inner ear labyrinth. The vestibulocochlear nerve, which communicates information about the sound, position, and head motion to the brain, is housed in the ear labyrinth. Labyrinthitis patients frequently complain of headaches, ear pain, altered vision, tinnitus, or hearing loss.
• Vestibular neuritis: Vertigo may be brought on by vestibular nerve irritation. Labyrinthitis is comparable to vestibular neuritis; however, labyrinthitis does not affect hearing. Vertigo, nausea, and impaired vision are potential symptoms of this illness.
• Cholesteatoma: A noncancerous skin growth may appear in the middle ear as a result of recurrent ear infections. Cholesteatoma is the name of the condition, which can cause vertigo, hearing loss, and wooziness.

What else causes vertigo?

Vertigo attacks can be caused by other things. Here are a few typical causes of dizziness:

• Diabetes
• Head injuries
• Prolonged bed rest
• Shingles in or near the ear
• Ear surgery
• Migraine headaches
• Certain medications
• Stroke
• Arrhythmia
• Perilymphatic fistula (If middle ear fluid spills from the inner ear)
• Hyperventilation
• Low blood pressure (orthostatic hypotension) – is a condition in which your blood pressure decreases when you stand up.
• Ataxia, or muscle weakness.
• Syphilis
• Otosclerosis (a middle ear-specific bone growth issue).
• Brain disease
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Acoustic neuroma

What are the common symptoms of vertigo?

Vertigo is a symptom of numerous illnesses, as was already noted. Vertigo can, however, also manifest in conjunction with other symptoms, such as:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Balance issues
• Tinnitus
• Headaches
• Motion sickness
• A sensation of ear fullness
• Nystagmus – an uncontrollable side-to-side eye movement