Diagnosis and Therapy of Vertigo

Vertigo is a neurological condition characterized by intense and often sudden sensation of dizziness or spinning, in which you have the illusion of movement of yourself or your surroundings, especially a sensation of spinning or tilting. Vertigo is academically referred to as a symptom. This condition is often accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, loss of balance, nystagmus (uncontrolled eye movements) and can be caused by disorders the vestibular system, which is crucial for maintaining balance and orientation in space.

Vertigo can be peripheral, which is most often caused by problems with inner ear, such as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), Meniere's disease or vestibular neuronitis. These conditions can be associated with impaired motion detection and gravity change sensors in the inner ear.

In addition, Vertigo can be central, which originates in the brain, specifically in the the brainstem or the cerebellum. It can be associated with a number of conditions, including brain tumors, stroke, multiple sclerosis or migraines.

The diagnosis of vertigo is usually made through clinical examination and may include various imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT), and tests vestibular function tests.

Treatment of vertigo depends on the cause and includes medication, vestibular rehabilitation therapy, lifestyle changes, or in in the case of BPPV, manoeuvres to relocate the otoliths in the inner ear.

Start managing Vertigo today.