Dizziness is an umbrella term that is used to describe a feeling whereby:
- You are about to fall or pass out, or that your surroundings are spinning
- You feel dizzy or lightheaded
- You are having trouble walking straight
Vertigo is simply described as a type of dizziness
Vertigo Symptoms
- Tilting or swaying
- Spinning
- Feeling off balance
These feelings are intermittent and may last for seconds, hours, or days. When you move your head, alter your head (stand up, roll over), cough, or sneeze, you might feel worse. Vertigo may be accompanied by:
- Vomiting/nausea
- You may develop headaches or be sensitive to light and noise
- Have a double vision, difficulty swallowing or speaking, or feeling weak
- Experience shortness of breath
Causes of Vertigo
- Meniere disease: This is a condition that causes repeated spells of vertigo, hearing loss, and ringing in the inner ear.
- Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)
- Vestibular neuritis
- Head injury
- Migraines
- Brain problems, such as stroke
When to Seek Medical Attention
Medical healthcare providers recommend that you should seek medical attention if you experience dizziness or vertigo coupled with any of the following:
- An inability to walk without assistance
- Numbness
- Persistent vomiting
- Chest pain
- Weakness in the arm
- Trouble speaking or hearing
- Severe headache
- Temperature greater than 38 degrees
- Passing out
Vertigo Treatment
If you experience spells of vertigo that are severe or last for hours or days, an ENT doctor may suggest medication to relieve severe vertigo symptoms such as vomiting. If your vertigo only lasts seconds or minutes, treatment with medication is not advised.
Among the potential drug therapies include:
- An antihistamine
- Prescription anti-nausea
- Prescription sedative medicines
Other forms of treatment include:
- Canalith Repositioning: This type of treatment is recommended for patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). Your ENT physician or audiologist will administer the treatment in the office by having you place your head in a series of positions known as the Epley technique.
- Balance Rehabilitation: Patients with vertigo that is caused by injury to the vestibular system can benefit from rehabilitation. Rehabilitation will help your brain adjust its response to changes in the vestibular system.
