Vertigo Causes and Cures

You must have heard of the expression The world spinning around. What this expression is medically known as is vertigo. Although often used interchangeably, vertigo and acrophobia (fear of heights) are very different. Vertigo is also distinct from dizziness in which a person feels lightheaded. Vertigo is the feeling that objects around one is spinning around. This type of vertigo is called objective vertigo. Alternatively, some describe a feeling that they themselves are moving around in space. This is known as subjective vertigo.

Besides the sensation that everything around one is moving, symptoms of vertigo include loss of balance, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision and pain in the ear. Vertigo can be caused due to problems in the inner ear or in the visual mechanism. In the subsequent lines we will talk about the common vertigo causes and cures.

Vertigo Causes

Some of the common causes of vertigo are:

• Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): Vertigo due to BPPV is caused when a person moves his head suddenly or turns in his bed. It is caused due to debris (made of calcium carbonate crystals) that break off from the labyrinth and enter the fluid-filled cavities of the ear. When a person moves his head, these crystals brush against the sensitive hair that line the cavities. This sends confusing messages to the brain about one's orientation. As a result, a person experiences vertigo. Vertigo due to BPPV is also associated with nausea and vomiting and is common among older people.
• Labyrinthitis: The inner ear has a complex system of fluid filled channels that play an important role in sending signal of sound and balance to the brain. This system is known as the vestibular labyrinth. Viral infection like cold and flu may spread to the labyrinth that may trigger vertigo. Although rare, labyrinthitis can also be caused due to bacterial infection. Besides vertigo, an individual with labyrinthitis may also suffer from ear pain and high fever.
• Ménière's Disease: This disease causes severe bouts of vertigo that may last from 1 to 24 hours. It is accompanied with hearing loss and tinnitus (ringing or booming sounds originating from the inner ear). Vertigo attacks due to Ménière's disease is accompanied with nausea and vomiting.
• Vestibular Neuritis: Vestibular neuritis refers to the infection of one of the two vestibular nerves that carry information about balance between the inner ear and the brain. This infection is viral in nature and usually follows an upper respiratory infection (common cold) or a flu.

Other Vertigo Causes

• Acoustic neuroma (a type of tumor)
• Migraine
• Head or neck injury
• Long term infection of the inner ear (chronic otitis media)
• Medicines like salicylates and quinine

Vertigo Cures

In many cases vertigo may clear out on its own. However, in certain circumstances a physician may recommend some antibiotics, other drugs or surgery for the treatment of vertigo. Depending upon the cause, an individual may have to resort to one of the following vertigo remedies:

For Labyrinthitis: Vertigo due to labyrinthitis may cure on its own. However, in some cases a physician may require to prescribe antibiotics. In severe cases one may need to undergo labyrinthectomy in which the vestibular labyrinth of the affected ear is surgically removed. After recovery from the surgery, the other healthy ear takes over the functions that maintain patient's balance and hearing abilities.

For Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): BPPV is treated by the Canalith repositioning procedure. In this treatment the patient undergoes several simple head maneuvers that remove the calcium carbonate crystals from the semi-circular canals to the vestibule where they won't cause any problem and can be easily reabsorbed.

For Meniere's Disease: This disease can't be cured, however, its symptoms can be treated using medicines. In severe cases surgery may be done to reduce the frequency of vertigo attacks. In such surgeries some of the bones surrounding the inner ear are removed that reduces swelling in the labyrinth.

Vertigo is not a disease. It is actually a symptom of some other disorder. Thanks to the intensive study and research into the condition of vertigo, we have a better understanding of vertigo causes and cures. Rare occurrence of vertigo is definitely not a cause of concern. However, if bouts of vertigo become frequent or is accompanied with conditions like chest pain, change in heart rate, speech problems or severe headache, one should consult one's physician immediately.