The Complete Guide to Dizziness and Vertigo

Have you ever experienced dizziness and vertigo?

Are you wondering why is it occurring?

Still not sure of who should you consult? 

If so, this complete guide to dizziness and vertigo is for you.

 

Vertigo and dizziness can arise from a range of conditions and can be severely debilitating. That’s why having a deep and clear understanding about these issues is a key step in finding long-term relief.

In this guide, we will dive deeper into the anatomy and physiology, symptoms, and different causes of dizziness and vertigo as well as some prescribed medications, ways on how to fix it, and home remedies and diets that can help reduce symptoms.

 

Anatomy and physiology

Inside the inner ear is a series of bony canals that are filled with fluid. These canals are oriented at different angles and, as the head moves, the fluid within the bony canals move. This sends messages to the brain telling it how fast and what direction to move the head and neck. The information sent from the inner ear to the brain then sends messages to the eyes, allowing them to move with the head and neck.

 

What is the difference between dizziness and vertigo?

The term dizziness is used to describe a range of sensations such as feeling faint, weak or unsteady or woozy. Vertigo is the sensation of being dizzy however it gives a false sense that you or your surroundings are spinning, or moving.

Dizziness is one of the more common reasons adults visit their doctors. Frequent dizzy spells or constant dizziness can significantly affect your life however it is rarely life-threatening.

Treatment of dizziness depends on the cause and your symptoms. It's usually effective, but the problem may recur depending on your diagnosis.

Symptoms of dizziness: lightheadedness, feeling faint, unsteady on feet, loss of balance, a sensation of floating, woozy or heavy-headed

Symptoms of vertigo: sensation the environment is moving or spinning

 

When should I see a doctor?

If your vertigo or dizziness recurs frequently, there is an increase in the severity of symptoms, an increased amount of episodes, or there is sudden onset or a prolonged duration of symptoms please see your doctor, physiotherapist or osteopath at Melbourne Headache Solutions.

 

Conditions that can cause dizziness and vertigo

1. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)

BPPV is the most common form of vertigo, it is characterized by a brief and intense sensation of the room spinning which tends to last 15 seconds to a few minutes. This may be described as a sudden attack of vertigo which is relieved by a change in head position. BPPV can be initiated by a sudden change in head position, such as rolling over in bed. This type of vertigo is rarely serious and can be treated with manual therapy.

 

2. Vestibular migraine

A vestibular migraine is a nervous system dysfunction that causes repeated dizziness or vertigo in people who have a history of migraine symptoms. Unlike the traditional migraine, you may not always experience a headache. The main symptom is dizziness that comes and goes. If you are suffering from a vestibular migraine you may also feel nausea, balance problems, motion sensitivity, disoriented or confused, or sensitive to sound. Other times, the vertigo symptoms happen before, during, or after a migraine.

 

3. Vestibular neuritis 

Vertigo can also be caused by inflammation in the inner ear, this is called vestibular neuritis, you may have also heard it called labrynthitis. Vestibular neuritis is characterized by a sudden onset of vertigo which may be accompanied by hearing loss. The most common cause for vestibular neuritis are viral or bacterial infections in the inner ear such as, Herpes virus, Influenza, Hepatitis and Epstein-Barr virus

 

4. Ménière’s disease

Ménière’s disease is composed of a triad of symptoms including vertigo, ringing in the ears (tinnitus) and hearing loss. People with Ménière’s disease have an abrupt onset of severe vertigo with fluctuating hearing loss which can last hours-days and can be followed by periods of being symptoms free. The cause of Ménière’s disease is not completely understood however it is thought to be due to; viral infections of the inner ear, head injuries, or hereditary factors

 

What are first aid measures for vertigo and dizziness?

  • Avoid aggravating factors such as laying on one side
  • Medication
  • Do not lookup 
  • Rest
  • If symptoms persist call your osteopath or physiotherapist 

 

How do I know if my dizziness or vertigo is serious?

Dizziness and vertigo can be defined as central or peripheral, both are listed below with their presentations and severity of symptoms.

Central vertigo

Central vertigo is a clinical condition in which an individual experiences hallucinations of motion of their surroundings, or a sensation of spinning, while remaining still, as a result of dysfunction of the vestibular structures in the central nervous system. This is an emergency and needs immediate medical care

Causes of central vertigo: Disease or injury to the brain: multiple sclerosis, brain tumor, stroke, transient ischemic attack

 

Peripheral vertigo

Peripheral vertigo is the most common type of vertigo, Most cases are caused by a problem in the inner ear, which controls your balance. This region of the inner ear that is affected is called the vestibular system.

Causes of peripheral vertigo: BPPV, meniere’s disease, vestibular neuritis and vestibular migraines.

 

What is the best treatment for vertigo?

There are a variety of treatments for dizziness and vertigo, To find the right treatment depends on the cause of the dizziness and/or vertigo. The treatment options are listed below:

Medication

Some frequently prescribed medication include:

  • Stemetil
  • Antivert
  • Phenegran
  • Reglan
  • Zofran
  • Valium
  • Ativan
  • Prednisone 

 

Home remedies

  • Avoid caffeine, smoking and alcohol. These substances affect blood circulation which is linked to increased blood pressure, dizziness and vertigo.
  • A lack of vitamin D can make symptoms worse when suffering from BPPV. A glass of freshly squeezed orange juice, canned tuna, egg yolk or supplementation can improve your vitamin D levels. Please seek medical advice before taking vitamin D supplements
  • Drink plenty of water and stay hydrated
  • Stress and anxiety have been linked to dizziness and vertigo. Developing coping strategies to navigate and reduce stressful events could decrease your dizziness and vertigo. Practising meditation and deep-breathing techniques are good for acute stress. Long-term stress isn’t something you can simply breathe through, and often the causes of stress aren’t things that you can cut out of your life. Simply being aware of what is causing you stress might cut down on your vertigo symptoms.

 

Physical therapy maneuvers 

  • Epley’s Maneuver
  • HINTs examination
  • Dix-Hallpike maneuver 
  • Cranial nerve examination
  • Vestibular system examination 

 

Nutritional advice to reduce symptoms of dizziness and vertigo

  • Some vestibular disorders are caused by a buildup of fluid within the inner ear. Sodium causes water retention and bloating, therefore, a low sodium diet can be an effective means to reduce dizziness and vertigo symptoms. 
  • Increasing your potassium will help flush out any excess fluid from the body. Some foods rich in potassium are avocado, spinach, edamame, bananas and sweet potato.
  • Foods that  are rich in vitamin B & C, zinc and magnesium to help restore damaged nerves and improve circulation.

 

What should I expect from my first appointment?

In your initial consultation, your physiotherapist or osteopath will take an in-depth history of your lifestyle, sleeping habits, diet, stress levels, medications and associated symptoms. Upon completion of the history and examination of eye movement, cervical spine (neck) movement and provocation testing will be completed. The treatment varies depending on what the clinician finds and their diagnosis however, rest assured all your questions will be answered and you will be feeling better when you leave.

Book your initial consultation with us by calling  (03) 9486 7543 or you can book your FREE 15 phone consultation to find out how we can help you.  

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