Understanding Vertigo: Symptoms, Causes, Treatments

Understanding Head Spinning Images and Vertigo

Feeling like the room is spinning around you or that you are spinning can be an unsettling and even terrifying sensation. Referred to medically as vertigo, head spinning is a common symptom of several health conditions that affect the inner ear and parts of the brain that control balance.

What Causes Head Spinning Sensations?

Head spinning and vertigo occur when there is a disruption in the vestibular system - the sensory system in the inner ear that keeps the brain informed about the bodys movement and spatial orientation. When signals from the inner ear conflict with signals from other parts of the body, it can trigger false sensations of spinning or swaying.

Common causes of vertigo and head spinning include:

• Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) - loose crystals in the inner ear canals cause head spinning when moving into certain positions
• Vestibular neuritis - inflammation of the inner ear nerves
• Labyrinthitis - infection or inflammation of the inner ear
• Menieres disease - buildup of fluid pressure in the ear
• Vestibular migraine - dizziness and vertigo associated with migraine headaches
• Stroke or transient ischemic attacks
• Acoustic neuroma - noncancerous tumor on hearing and balance nerves

When to See a Doctor

Occasional brief head spinning that resolves on its own is usually not a major concern. However, recurrent or persistent vertigo episodes, vertigo accompanied by hearing loss or ringing in the ears, vertigo severe enough to impact daily activities, or vertigo along with neurological symptoms like weakness or slurred speech can indicate an underlying medical condition that requires prompt evaluation.

Key Symptoms of Head Spinning and Vertigo

The key distinguishing symptom of vertigo is an altered sense of spatial orientation and motion, sometimes described as:

• Feeling like you or the room is spinning
• Swaying, tilting, or rocking, even when sitting or standing still
• Feeling pulled to one side
• Lightheadedness or feeling faint

In addition to illusory sensations of motion, vertigo can also cause:

• Nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort
• Unsteady gait, trouble walking a straight line
• Nystagmus - involuntary eye movements
• Headache
• Sweating
• Tinitis or ringing ears

Difference Between Vertigo and Dizziness

Although the terms dizziness and vertigo are sometimes used interchangeably, there are important differences:

• Dizziness refers to vague feelings of being lightheaded, woozy, weak, or faint. The room may seem to be spinning but you do not have an illusion of motion in relation to the room.
• Vertigo refers specifically to the false sense that you or your surroundings are moving. There is an illusion of motion.

Understanding these differences can help doctors identify causes and recommend appropriate treatments.

Getting a Diagnosis for Vertigo

To determine what is causing vertigo and recommend appropriate treatment, physicians will do:

• Medical history - ask about symptoms, timing, triggers, other neurological symptoms
• Physical examination - check balance, coordination, eye movements
• Hearing exam
• Blood tests to identify infections or other factors
• Imaging tests - CT or MRI scans to visualize the brain and inner ear
• Vestibular function tests - cool and warm water irrigated into the ear canal to stimulate the vestibular system
• Balance assessments - ability to walk heel-to-toe, balance on one foot with eyes closed.

Common Vertigo Treatments

Once the cause of vertigo is identified, common treatments can include:

• Vestibular rehabilitation - physical therapy exercises to improve balance, gait, and tolerance for head movements.
• Medications - steroids for inflammation, antihistamines for dizziness, anticholinergics for motion sickness.
• Surgery - for acoustic neuroma tumors or refractory Menieres disease.
• Head maneuvers - Especially for BPPV, controlled head movements to reposition crystals.

Strategies to Prevent Vertigo Episodes

While not all causes of vertigo can be prevented, general strategies to reduce episodes include:

• Avoid excessive sodium, caffeine, and alcohol which can exacerbate vertigo.
• Stay well hydrated to maintain fluid balance in the inner ear.
• Dont ignore hearing loss which can impact balance.
• Use good lighting and handrails to avoid falls.
• When feeling dizzy, sit or lie down immediately rather than trying to keep walking.
• Wear flat, supportive shoes instead of high heels which can throw off balance.

Seeking Emergency Care

While vertigo itself if often not dangerous, significant or sustained vertigo along with coordination problems or neurological signs like visual disturbances, slurred speech, or weakness can indicate stroke or other serious neurological issues requiring emergency care.

Seek immediate medical attention if vertigo occurs with:

• Sudden onset of vertigo
• Unexplained fever
• Severe headache
• Chest pain
• Trouble walking or standing
• Bowel/bladder incontinence

Getting evaluated promptly for severe vertigo episodes allows doctors to determine if clots, bleeding, tumors or other dangerous processes are occurring so that treatment can be expedited.

Living with Chronic Vertigo

For many people, vertigo comes and goes in sudden spells. But for some vertigo can become a chronic, long-lasting sensation making everyday activities difficult.

Tips for managing chronic vertigo include:

• Balance and gait retraining physical therapy
• Learn to move slowly and deliberately
• Use mobility aids like canes or walkers for safety
• Make home modifications like grab bars in showers
• Get vision checked since visual cues also affect balance
• Reduce stress which can exacerbate symptoms
• Join a support group to share advice and coping strategies

Experimental Vertigo Treatments

For those who do not find relief from traditional vertigo treatments, experimental therapies being studies include:

• Trans-tympanic micropressure therapy
• Transcutaneous electrical stimulation
• Virtual reality desensitization therapy

Ask your doctor if participating in a clinical trial may be appropriate to help expand vertigo treatment options.

The Outlook for Vertigo Sufferers

Depending on the cause, many types of vertigo can be successfully treated through a combination of head maneuvers, balance exercises, medications, and physical therapy. Even when the underlying cause cannot be fully resolved, symptoms can often be significantly reduced through diligent treatment and lifestyle adjustments.

New research is also expanding the possibilities for both treatment and prevention of chronic vertigo through innovations like targeted ultrasound technology and genetic analyses. While vertigo can be distressing and disruptive, the future looks hopeful for new therapeutic approaches.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.