Vertigo is a sensation of feeling of loss of balance or dizziness.
Causes for vertigo
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)-Most common cause for vertigo. Brief episodes of vertigo that increased by rolling over in bed, lying down, sitting up from a supine position, bending over, or looking up. BPPV occurs when tiny calcium particles clump up in canals of the inner ear. The inner ear sends signals to the brain about head and body movements relative to gravity. It helps to keep balance
Benign - Doesn't cause further illness
Paroxymal - temporary and sudden onset
Positional - Related to body position changes
Vertigo - False sensation of spinning
.
Meniere’s disease-This is an inner ear disorder thought to be caused by a buildup of fluid and changing pressure in the ear.
Inner ear infections (Vestibular neuritis)-This infection causes inflammation in the inner ear around nerves that are important for helping the body sense balance.
Head or neck injury
Brain problems such as stroke or tumor
Certain medication that cause ear damage
Migraine headaches
Symptoms of vertigo
Vertigo: Spinning sensation (not lightheadedness or feeling off- balance)
Short duration (paroxysmal): Lasts only seconds to minute (usually less than 60 seconds).
Positional in onset: only included by a change in position.
Nausea
Visual disturbance: It may be difficult to read or see during an attack due to the associated nystagmus.
Pre -syncope (feeling faint) or Syncope (fainting).
Vomiting is uncommon, but possible.
Loss of balance- which can make it difficult to stand or walk.
Things to do ease vertigo symptoms when they’re happening, and to reduce the number of episodes you have.
✅ Do
Lie still in a quiet, dark room to reduce the spinning feeling
Move your head carefully and slowly during daily activities
Sit down straight away when you feel dizzy
Turn on the lights if you get up at night
Use a walking stick if you’re at risk of falling
Sleep with your head slightly raised on 2 or more pillows
Get out of bed slowly and sit on the edge of the bed for a while before standing up.
Try to relax-anxiety can make vertigo worse
❌ Don’t
Do not bend over to pick things up-squat to lower yourself instead
Do not stretch your neck-for example, while reaching up to a high shelf
Physiotherapy treatments apply mainly for recovering from BPPV.
Shashini Perera
References
https://www.webmd.com/brain/vertigo-symptoms-causes-treatment
https://www.healthyhearing.com/help/tinnitus/bppv
留言