Updated: 10/6/23
Are you feeling light-headed and dizzy? Does it feel like the room is spinning or you are off balance when walking? Vertigo, certainly no walk in the park. Luckily, discovering the cause of your vertigo can help ease the uncomfortable symptoms. In this blog post, we’ll explore what causes it and provide information about treatments that may bring relief to those suffering from it. Let’s dive right into understanding what leads to this condition so you can get back on track with a healthy life free from vertigo.
What is Vertigo?
Vertigo is a condition that can be unsettling and scary, especially if it strikes suddenly. It is a feeling of dizziness or spinning that can result in debilitating nausea and loss of balance, and can be triggered by certain head movements or simply by standing up too fast.
Generally, it is a dizzy spell that is usually a symptom of an underlying condition. The severity of the feeling varies; it could be mild and hardly noticeable or so intense that it puts you off balance. It may develop abruptly and last for a considerable amount of time. People with severe vertigo experience intense and constant symptoms that may last for several days.
Common symptoms associated with vertigo include dizziness, loss of balance and feeling sick. Unlike dizziness, it is a sensation that creates the illusion either you or the surrounding is moving. Subjective vertigo occurs when the individual feels like they are moving or spinning. On the other hand, objective vertigo occurs when an individual feels like the surrounding is spinning.
Can Vertigo Be Caused By Stress?
The vestibular system, located in the inner ear, is responsible for maintaining balance and orientation. When a person experiences stress, their body enters a fight or flight response that can cause changes in blood pressure and heart rate, leading to the disruption of the vestibular system. This can result in symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, and loss of balance.
Furthermore, stress can also cause indirect effects on the body that lead to vertigo. For instance, stress can increase tension in the muscles of the neck and head, which can then affect the inner ear and trigger it. Stress can also lead to poor sleep quality and habits, which can contribute to the development of vertigo.
It is important to note, however, that not everyone who experiences stress will develop vertigo. The threshold for experiencing it may differ from person to person and may depend on various factors such as age, medical history, and lifestyle habits.
Types of Vertigo
There are various types of vertigo.
Peripheral
Peripheral is the most common type of vertigo caused mostly by problems in the inner ear, which affects balance. Common symptoms of peripheral vertigo include nausea, a spinning sensation, vomiting, excessive sweating and ear problems. Peripheral vertigo caused by an ear infection may cause a feeling of fullness in the ear.
Central
This is the less common type of vertigo usually caused by brain injuries (such as a concussion) or diseases. This type of vertigo usually occurs suddenly and may last longer than peripheral vertigo. In addition, the spinning sensation of central vertigo is usually more intense. Affected individuals often need help standing or walking when they experience central vertigo.
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
BPPV is a type of peripheral vertigo that occurs when tiny crystals in the inner ear are displaced, causing dizziness with certain head movements. The symptoms of BPPV include sudden episodes of vertigo that last for seconds to minutes, along with nausea and unsteadiness. Fortunately, BPPV can be quickly treated by a simple maneuver, where the head is moved in specific directions so that the crystals return to their original position.
Psychogenic
Psychogenic vertigo is caused by psychological or emotional factors, such as anxiety, stress, or depression. Symptoms of psychogenic vertigo include dizziness, vertigo, and feelings of detachment from reality. Treatment for psychogenic vertigo may include therapy, medication, or lifestyle changes.
Meniere’s Disease
This is a chronic inner ear disorder that can cause vertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus, and a feeling of fullness in the ear. The symptoms of Meniere’s disease can be unpredictable and can last for hours to days. The cause of Meniere’s disease is still unknown, but treatments such as diet modification, medication, and surgery can provide relief.
Vestibular Migraine
Vestibular migraine is a type of migraine that is characterized by vertigo and other vestibular symptoms, such as sensitivity to light and sound. Symptoms of vestibular migraine can last from a few minutes to several hours and are often accompanied by headache and nausea. Treatment for vestibular migraine involves medications that can reduce the severity and frequency of migraine attacks.
Acoustic Neuroma
This is a rare type of tumor that affects the nerve that controls hearing and balance. It can cause vertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus, and balance problems. Acoustic neuroma is usually treated with surgery, radiation therapy, or a combination of both.
What’s Vertigo Symptoms
The symptoms of it often vary from one person to another, depending on the underlying cause.
Symptoms of Peripheral Vertigo
A sensation of spinning, movement and lightheadedness are the most noticeable symptoms. Additionally, a person with it may have trouble maintaining balance. They can also experience ringing in the ears as well as double vision and problems focusing the vision.
Symptoms of Central Vertigo
Central vertigo is more pronounced. Its symptoms include slurred speech, weakness in the limbs, difficulty swallowing and facial paralysis. Similar to peripheral vertigo, central can also induce double vision and difficulty focusing vision.
What Vertigo Feels Like
People who have experienced it usually describe it as feeling like their surroundings are spinning. It may cause one to feel like they are unsteady, unbalanced or rocking.
In some cases, the sensation feels worse when the individual is standing, walking or moving their head. Patients often find it physically exhausting. The spinning feeling may be so severe that it causes the patient to vomit or experience nausea.
Vertigo sensation may last a few seconds, minutes or even hours. Some patients experience constant vertigo while the symptoms of others come and go with time. In many cases, it is not accompanied by fainting or motion sickness.
Can Vertigo Kill You?
While the condition itself may not cause death, it could be an indication of a more severe health issue. It’s crucial to take steps to prevent any accidents, such as slips and falls. If you’re experiencing vertigo more frequently, be sure to inform your healthcare provider to determine the underlying cause of your symptoms. If you’re already dealing with vertigo, rehydrate yourself and seek help from a medical professional to determine the best course of action. Understanding the potential risks associated with it and taking necessary precautions can ensure that you live a happy, healthy life.
How Vertigo is Caused
Vertigo is usually a symptom of an underlying problem, commonly in the inner ear, brain or nervous system.
Inner Ear problems
The inner ear plays a crucial role in our ability to maintain balance. When the inner ear is injured or damaged, it can cause the condition to occur. The common inner ear issues that can result in vertigo include Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), Meniere’s disease, and Vestibular Neuritis. BPPV occurs when calcium crystals in the inner ear become dislodged and irritate the inner ear. Meniere’s disease is a rare disease featuring vertigo, ringing in the ears, and hearing loss. Vestibular Neuritis is an infection or inflammation of the vestibular nerve which causes dizziness and vertigo.
Migraine
Migraine is a common cause of vertigo. Migraines affect the central nervous system and can cause vertigo, headaches, and other symptoms. Individuals with migraines may also experience sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, and vomiting. A healthy lifestyle, dietary changes, and stress reduction can help reduce the frequency and intensity of migraines.
Head and Neck Injuries
Any injury to the head or neck that affects the inner ear or the brain can cause vertigo. Trauma to the head, migraines, or concussions can trigger vertigo, and the symptoms can last for a few days or an extended period. When there are problems with your neck’s vestibular system, it can cause vertigo. The neck’s vestibular system is responsible for sending signals from the neck joints, muscles, and ligaments to the brain. Whiplash injuries, osteoarthritis and cervical spondylosis can affect the neck’s vestibular system, leading to the condition.
Medications
Certain medications, such as antihistamines and blood pressure medications, can trigger vertigo. Such drugs interact with the sensory organs of the inner ear, causing a sensation of dizziness or spinning.
Blood supply to the brain
It can also result from decreased blood flow to the brain. This condition, known as vertebrobasilar insufficiency, can cause symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, and vision problems.
Diabetes
Diabetes may cause various health complications, including atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries that may impede blood flow to the brain leading to vertigo.
Hormonal Changes
Low blood sugar levels and hormonal changes, especially during pregnancy, may cause some women to experience it. This type of vertigo usually occurs during the first trimester. However, some women may experience it during the second trimester as a result of increased blood pressure in the expanding uterus.
During the third and fourth trimester, it may be caused by lying on the back, which causes the weight of the developing baby to press on the vena cava, a large vein that carries blood to the heart.
Anxiety and Stress
While anxiety and stress do not directly cause vertigo, they can trigger or exacerbate the symptoms. When you are anxious and feel stress, your body releases hormones that affect your blood pressure and heart rate, leading to dizziness and the condition. Treatment options include therapy, relaxation techniques, and medications.
Mal De Debarquement
This type of vertigo usually occurs after disembarking from a ship or boat. Many people experience Mal de debarquement or sickness of disembarkation after a long cruise. Some people may experience this type of condtion after traveling by plane, train or car.
Can Vertigo Cause Seizures?
So, can vertigo cause seizures? There is no clear-cut answer to this question. The condition itself does not directly cause seizures, as they are distinct conditions with different causes. However, some people with certain underlying conditions that can cause vertigo, such as Meniere’s disease, epilepsy, or vestibular migraines, may also be prone to seizures. In these cases, the seizures may be related to the underlying condition rather than the vertigo per se.
What Causes Vertigo When Lying Down?
Vertigo when lying down is a type of positional vertigo, where one experiences a sudden onset of symptoms while changing positions. It happens when a calcium carbonate crystal, an otolith, is dislodging from its usual position in the inner ear. These crystals are responsible for helping our body sense gravity, and when they move out of place, it can lead to a sudden feeling of dizziness or spinning.
How Vertigo is Diagnosed
In order to properly treat and manage it, it’s essential to get a proper diagnosis. Knowing the different tests and procedures used to diagnose the condition can help you understand the condition better and get the right treatment.
Medical History
Your doctor will begin by reviewing your medical history and asking questions about your symptoms. They will want to know how often the vertigo episodes occur, how long they last, and what triggers them. They may also ask about any other medical conditions you have or medications you are taking. This information can help narrow down the possible causes of your vertigo and guide diagnostic tests.
Physical Exam
A physical exam can provide important clues about the cause of your condition. Your doctor will check your balance, vision, and reflexes, as well as perform a vestibular exam to assess your inner ear function. This may involve simple tests such as having you follow a moving object with your eyes or trying to maintain your balance while standing on one leg.
Diagnostic Tests
Depending on the results of your medical history and physical exam, your doctor may recommend additional diagnostic tests. These may include hearing tests, blood tests, imaging tests such as an MRI or CT scan, or a video-electronystagmography (VNG) test, which measures your eye movements in response to different stimuli. These tests can help identify the underlying cause of your vertigo and determine the best course of treatment.
Differential Diagnosis
It can be a symptom of many different conditions, so it’s important to rule out other possible causes before making a final diagnosis. Your doctor will consider a variety of factors, such as your age, medical history, and symptoms, to determine the most likely cause of your condtion. In some cases, it may be necessary to refer you to a specialist such as an otolaryngologist or neurologist for further evaluation.
How Vertigo is Treated
It is a medical condition that is a feeling of dizziness and instability. Problems in the inner ear create this condition and the symptoms can range from mild to severe. If left untreated, it can affect your quality of life in several ways. However, the good news is that vertigo can be treated effectively with proper treatment.
Medications
The most common drugs used to treat it are vestibular suppressant medications. These medications work by suppressing the signals from the inner ear that cause the feeling of dizziness. They include antihistamines, benzodiazepines, and antiemetics. Your doctor will prescribe the appropriate medication based on the underlying cause of your vertigo.
Canalith Repositioning
Canalith repositioning is a series of head and body movements that are designed to move the calcium crystals in your inner ear back to their proper position. This treatment is to treat benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), which is a type of vertigo by the displacement of these calcium crystals.
Vestibular Rehabilitation
Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) is a type of physical therapy that involves specific exercises to improve balance and reduce dizziness. The exercises are designed to improve the function of the vestibular system, which is responsible for providing information about the position and movement of your head and body.
Hypnotherapy
In a hypnotherapy session for vertigo, the therapist may use visualization techniques to help patients feel more balanced and grounded. They may also work on addressing any underlying anxiety or stress that may be exacerbating symptoms. The goal of the therapy is to help the patient feel more in control of their body and experience less dizziness.
Surgery
In rare cases, surgery may be necessary to treat vertigo. The most common surgical procedure is vestibular nerve section. This involves cutting the vestibular nerve, which is responsible for transmitting signals from the inner ear to the brain. This procedure is only in severe cases of vertigo.
Lifestyle Changes
Making certain lifestyle changes can also help alleviate vertigo symptoms. These include avoiding triggers such as bright lights and sudden movements, avoiding alcohol and caffeine, and sleeping with your head elevated. Your doctor may also recommend stress reduction techniques such as meditation or yoga.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an ancient form of Chinese medicine that involves the insertion of small needles into the skin at specific points. It has been used for centuries to treat a variety of ailments, including vertigo. Acupuncture may help to improve blood flow to the brain, which can help to reduce the symptoms of vertigo. It is important to find a qualified acupuncturist with training in treating vertigo.
Self-Care
Several tips can help relieve the symptoms of vertigo. Your physician may advise you to:
- Make sure your head is slightly raised on a pillow or two when sleeping
- Get up slowly when standing or sitting, especially if you have been sleeping in bed
- Avoid bending for prolonged periods
- Avoid overextending the neck when reaching up for an object
- Move your head slowly and gently during daily activities
Vertigo Remedies and Supplements
Finding relief from vertigo is critical to living a happy and active lifestyle. While there might be prescribed medicines that reduce vertigo symptoms, it is always helpful to try natural remedies and supplements alongside, as they come with fewer side effects and can build overall strength in the body. Fortunately, there are natural remedies and supplements that can help to relieve the symptoms of vertigo.
Ginger
Ginger supports joint, skin and heart health. In addition, ginger helps to maintain healthy cholesterol levels in the body and relieves gastrointestinal problems such as heartburn. The healthy serving for ginger is 1,000 milligrams per day. Consume with lots of water.
Women in maternal condition, including breastfeeding mothers, should not supplement with ginger. In addition, do not take this product before consulting a doctor if you have diabetes.
Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo biloba is a popular supplement that is known for its ability to improve circulation and cognitive function. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries to treat a variety of ailments, including dizziness and the condition. Ginkgo biloba has been shown to improve blood flow to the brain, which can help to reduce the symptoms of vertigo. It is important to speak to your doctor before taking Ginkgo biloba, especially if you are taking any medications.
Vitamin D
One study showed that low levels of vitamin D might also be associated with the development of vertigo. Vitamin D supplements can help improve balance and reduce symptoms of vertigo by strengthening the bones and muscles which support and maintain balance.
Magnesium
Magnesium is a mineral that plays a key role in a number of bodily processes, including nerve function and muscle contraction. It helps to regulate the calcium balance in the body, which can improve balance and reduce the symptoms of the condition. You can get magnesium through your diet by eating foods such as spinach, almonds, and avocados. Magnesium oxide supplements are also available, but it is important to speak to your doctor before taking any supplements.
Hydration
Staying hydrated is vital for maintaining proper balance in the body. Dehydration can lead to dizziness or vertigo. Drinking enough water, coconut water, or fluid-rich beverages daily can help maintain good hydration levels in the body.
The Bottom Line
Natural remedies and supplements are not a replacement for prescribed medicines; they can be powerful allies to support your health, and improve the quality of life. Ginger, Ginkgo biloba, Vitamin D, Acupuncture, and Hydration are some remedies that can help you ease your condition, regain your balance and strengthen your overall body health.
If you are facing symptoms, opting for natural remedies can provide relief, but always consult a doctor before trying new supplements alongside prescribed medications. The human body can find natural alternatives in many different areas, particularly in supplements, but understanding how these help you is essential before adding them to your daily routine. Remember, always keep in mind your unique health status and needs and adjust choose ones that best reflect what your body needs for optimal balance!
In conclusion, it can be a challenging condition to live with, but with proper treatment, you can still lead a normal life. Medications, CRP, VRT, and surgery are treatment options. It is advisable to consult with your healthcare provider before trying any treatment regime, as not all treatments are suitable for everyone. Remember, early detection and proper treatment can help alleviate vertigo symptoms and prevent complications. So, if you’re experiencing vertigo symptoms, don’t hesitate to seek medical attention to get back to life.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease
