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Dec 8, 2022 · Vertigo is a feeling of spinning or tilting that can be caused by inner ear problems or other factors. Learn about the common causes, symptoms, and treatments of vertigo, such as physical therapy, medication, or surgery.
- Overview
- Possible Causes
- Care and Treatment
- When to Call the Doctor
- Resources
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Vertigo causes dizziness and makes you feel like you’re spinning when you’re not. It most commonly occurs when there’s an issue with your inner ear. But you can also develop it if you have a condition affecting your brain, like a tumor or stroke. Treatments vary and can include medication, repositioning maneuvers or surgery.
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OverviewPossible CausesCare and TreatmentWhen to Call the DoctorResources
Contents
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What causes vertigo?
Vertigo causes vary from person to person and may include: Migraine headaches. Certain medications, including some antibiotics, anti-inflammatories and cardiovascular drugs. Stroke. Arrhythmia. Diabetes. Head injuries. Prolonged bed rest. Shingles in or near your ear. Ear surgery. Perilymphatic fistula (when inner ear fluid leaks into your middle ear). Hyperventilation (rapid breathing). Low blood pressure (your blood pressure decreases when you stand up). Ataxia (muscle weakness). Syphilis. Otosclerosis (a bone growth issue affecting your middle ear). Brain diseases. Multiple sclerosis (MS). Acoustic neuroma.
What are the possible complications of vertigo?
Vertigo can cause falls, which may result in bone fractures (broken bones) or other injuries. Vertigo can also interfere with your quality of life and hinder your ability to drive or go to work. Advertisement
How do healthcare providers diagnose vertigo?
A healthcare provider will perform a physical exam and ask questions about your vertigo symptoms. They may also recommend one or more tests to confirm your diagnosis.
How do healthcare providers treat vertigo?
Vertigo treatment depends on the underlying cause. Healthcare providers use a variety of treatments, which may include: Repositioning maneuvers. Vertigo medication. Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (vertigo exercises). Surgery.
How do you get vertigo to go away on its own?
It’s not always possible to get rid of vertigo without the help of a healthcare provider. But here are some things you can try at home to ease your symptoms: Move slowly when standing up, turning your head or performing other triggering movements. Sleep with your head elevated on two pillows. Lie in a dark, quiet room to reduce the spinning sensation. Sit down as soon as you feel dizzy. Squat down instead of bending over at the waist when picking something up. Turn on the lights if you get up during the night. Use a cane or walking stick if you feel like you might fall.
When should I see my healthcare provider?
If you have severe or frequent episodes of vertigo, it’s time to call your healthcare provider. There could be an underlying health condition causing your symptoms.
•American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Balance System Disorders. Accessed 5/9/2023.
•Johkura K. [Vertigo and dizziness]. Rinsho Shinkeigaku. 2021 May 19;61(5):279-287. Japanese. Accessed 5/9/2023.
•Kim HJ, Park J, Kim JS. Update on benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. J Neurol. 2021 May;268(5):1995-2000. Accessed 5/9/2023.
•Saha K. Vertigo Related to Central Nervous System Disorders. Continuum (Minneap Minn). 2021 Apr 1;27(2):447-467. Accessed 5/9/2023.
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Medically Reviewed
Vertigo is a sensation that the environment around you is spinning in circles. It can be caused by inner ear or brain issues and may require medication, repositioning maneuvers, surgery or therapy.
Oct 30, 2023 · Vertigo is a false sense of spinning or moving that can be caused by various conditions affecting the inner ear or brain. Learn about the types, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options for vertigo, as well as how to prevent and cope with it.
Dec 3, 2022 · Dizziness that creates the false sense that you or your surroundings are spinning or moving is called vertigo. Dizziness is one of the more common reasons adults visit their doctors. Frequent dizzy spells or constant dizziness can significantly affect your life.
Jan 17, 2024 · Vertigo may be due to problems with the inner ear or parts of the central nervous system. Examples include benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and Ménière’s disease, both of which involve the inner ear, and brain tumors and migraines, which involve the brain.
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Aug 5, 2022 · Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is one of the most common causes of vertigo — the sudden sensation that you're spinning or that the inside of your head is spinning. BPPV causes brief episodes of mild to intense dizziness.
Differential diagnosis. Presyncope, disequilibrium, non-specific dizziness [2] Frequency. 20–40% at some point [3] Vertigo is a condition in which a person has the sensation that they are moving, or that objects around them are moving, when they are not. [1]
