Article by John Miller
How Do You Know If You Have Vertigo or Dizziness?
To determine if you have vertigo or dizziness, you should understand that these are symptoms and not a disease.
What Causes Dizziness?
Various factors can cause dizziness, including inner ear problems such as Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), Meniere’s disease, or vestibular neuritis. Other causes of dizziness include dehydration, low blood pressure, heart problems, neck dysfunction, anxiety, medication side effects, neurological conditions, and more.
To determine the specific cause of dizziness, a healthcare professional must conduct a proper evaluation and diagnosis.
What is Vertigo?
Vertigo, a type of dizziness that creates a feeling of spinning or whirling, occurs when there is a disturbance in your balance (vestibular) system.
Subjective vertigo is the sensation of movement, while objective vertigo is the perception of motion in surrounding objects.
How Does Your Vestibular System Work?
The vestibular system, consisting of structures in the inner ear, the vestibular nerve, the brainstem, and the cerebellum, integrates sensory stimuli and movement and keeps objects in visual focus as the body moves.
When your head moves, signals are transmitted to the labyrinth, an apparatus in the inner ear of three semi-circular canals surrounded by fluid. The labyrinth then transmits movement information to the vestibular nerve, which carries the information to the brainstem and cerebellum, the brain areas that control balance, posture, and motor coordination.
Disorders in the vestibular system usually cause vertigo. Therefore, if you experience vertigo or dizziness, you may have a problem with your vestibular system. You should seek medical attention to determine the underlying cause.
What Is The Number One Cause Of Vertigo?
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) is the most common cause of vertigo, fortunately. Skilled treatment methods can quickly resolve BPPV, making it a treatable condition. It is best to seek the advice of a trusted healthcare professional, such as an ENT doctor or vestibular physiotherapist, to determine the most effective treatment plan.
Other Causes of Vertigo
Vertigo may also be a symptom of a significant neurological problem, such as a stroke or brain haemorrhage. Although rare, they should never be missed.
Other causes of vertigo include inflammation in the inner ear (vestibular neuritis), Meniere’s disease, neck joint dysfunction (cervicogenic dizziness), vestibular migraine, and acoustic neuroma.
If you experience vertigo, it is crucial to seek the advice of a healthcare professional promptly to rule out any underlying medical conditions.
More Info
More information: Balance, Dizziness & Vertigo FAQs and Health Products
