Vertigo is a balance disorder. It is the sensation that occurs when a person feels they or the objects around them are spinning. A person with vertigo may also experience dizziness, tilting, swaying or being pulled in one direction. These symptoms may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, sweating or difficulty walking. Vertigo can be caused by problems with the brain or the ear.
When the cause is inner ear related, the most common causes of vertigo are benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), Meniere’s disease and vestibular neuritis or labyrinthitis. Meniere’s disease is an inner ear condition causing a buildup of fluid and changing pressure in the ear. BPPV occurs when tiny calcium particles clump in the canals of the inner ear. These clumps cause the inner ear to send false information to the brain about head and body movements in relation to gravity. Labyrinthitis is typically the result of an infection that causes inflammation in the inner ear around nerves that help the body sense balance. Causes of vertigo not related to the ear can be caused by stroke, migraines and head or neck injuries.
Treatment for vertigo will be cause-based and may include diet, medicine, physical therapy or a surgical procedure. Many times, vertigo will go away without any treatment. This is because the brain will adapt to inner ear changes. However, working with a physician to diagnose the cause of vertigo is important to preventing future episodes.
In order to determine the appropriate treatment plan for your vertigo, your otolaryngologist and audiologist will need to evaluate and diagnose your symptoms. Contact our office at 337-266-9820 to schedule an appointment.