In today’s post, I am giving you the answer to some of the frequently asked questions about vertigo that you might have. You might have heard about the term “vertigo” before, but is not entirely sure what the condition is. Some people mistake it for a fear of heights or lightheadedness, however, it is not the same.
What is Vertigo?
Vertigo is a dizzy spell, that feeling when your environment or the room is spinning. It can happen at any age but is more commonplace in elderly people over 65. Vertigo in itself is not an illness, but rather a symptom of an underlying medical condition.
There are various medical conditions, for instance, Meniere’s disease, that can cause vertigo. You might experience it temporarily or long-term. Pregnant women or those with ear infections might also have vertigo.
Symptoms of Vertigo?
Someone with vertigo experience a feeling as if the room or their head is spinning or moving really fast. Vertigo is a symptom that can be experienced alongside other symptoms like:
- Lightheadedness
- Tinnitus (ringing sensation in the ear)
- Balance issues
- Headaches
- Motion sickness
- Nystagmus (when your eyes move uncontrollably from side to side)
- Fullness in the ear
- Vomiting and nausea
Vertigo During Pregnancy
Dizziness and nausea are commonplace symptoms of pregnancy, especially during the first trimester. Hormonal fluctuations might be the cause for this as it influences the characteristics of the fluid in your body and leads to blood vessels relaxing and widening.
These hormonal changes also intensify the blood flow to the growing fetus but also result in a slow return of blood in your veins to the rest of your body. That is why pregnant women have lower blood pressure than usual, which lowers blood flow to their brains. It can result in temporary dizziness. Fluctuations in fluid characteristics in your inner ear can cause symptoms that include:
- Vertigo
- Tinnitus
- Loss of balance
- A feeling of fullness in your ear
Weight gain and changes in posture during pregnancy can also lead to balance issues.
9 Frequently Asked Questions About Vertigo Answered
1. Is Vertigo and Lightheadedness The Same Thing?
No, it is not. Lightheadedness happens when you feel unsteady or as if you’re about to faint. Vertigo is the sensation of your head or surroundings spinning. Both conditions are described as dizziness that can cause falls, balance issues, and broken bones.
2. Can Children Get Vertigo?
Vertigo is not commonplace in childhood and is mostly experienced by elderly people over 65 of age.
3. Which Part of The Body Has a Significant Influence on Balance?
The most essential and sensitive part of your body is your vestibular system in your middle ear. Signals are sent from here to your brain about where your body is. Eyes, joints, and muscles also play a part in balance.
4. What Causes Vertigo?
Vertigo is most commonly caused by issues in the ear – problems with fluids in the inner ear (Meniere’s disease), ear infection, damage to the vestibular system, or non-cancerous tumors can trigger vertigo. It can also be caused by migraines, stroke or side effects from medications.
5. Can You Ease Vertigo Without Medication?
Temporary spinning spells are not life-threatening, and sometimes it is a case of BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional crystals) which are essentially crystals in your inner ear that are dislodged. Doing simple head exercises can help these crystals to fall back into place. A physical therapist can prescribe certain exercises to alleviate the issue.
6. Can Anxiety Cause Vertigo?
Anxiety or stress on their own cannot cause vertigo, however, it can worsen the condition. For instance, if you have a panic attack due to anxiety disorder, it can make you feel faint, nauseous, dizzy or “out of body”.
7. What Type of Doctor Usually Diagnose Vertigo?
An otolaryngologist diagnoses and treats any disorders of the throat, ear, and nose. A doctor that specializes in ear-related issues is called an otologist or neurotologist.
8. What Types of Medications Can Help Ease Vertigo?
If your vertigo is not a symptom of an ongoing issue, your doctor might prescribe medication that blocks nerve impulses, controls nausea, and calms anxiety. Antihistamines that are taken for allergies can also lessen or prevent motion sickness.
Certain types of vertigo will go away on their own, however, if the issues are caused by an underlying issue, treatment might be needed. A doctor might prescribe antibiotics to treat bacterial infection for instance or antiviral medication for shingles.
Commonplace drugs that are available to offer the relief of motion sickness or nausea are antiemetics and antihistamines. If none of the treatments work or if someone has acoustic neuroma or BPPV, surgery might be necessary.
9. What Type of Exercise Can Improve Balance?
Many studies have shown that tai chi is efficient for strengthening muscles, training the brain, and helping with walking quicker and smoother.
Conclusion
I hope you have found this post about 9 frequently asked questions about vertigo interesting and useful.
Sending you lots of light, love, and balanced vibes.
Anthea