This article is written by Dr. Parita Pandya Shah.

We are explaining all the details about Vertigo if you or your loved ones in going through it. We are checking Vertigo with the advancement techniques. You can book my appointment through Click2Cure.

We have new age advanced and professional comprehensive  balance assessment solution for diagnosing vertigo and balance disorders. 

The solution comprises of state of the art eye tracking goggles and software modules powered by robust algorithms. The entire solution has been designed by a team of neuro vestibular professionals and computer vision and image processing experts. 

CAUSES OF VERTIGO

•  Vertigo can be caused due to labyrinthitis or vestibular neuritis. Labyrinthitis is inflammation inside the inner ear and may be associated with hearing loss. Labyrinthitis is caused due to viral or bacterial infection to inner ear.
• The most common type of vertigo is BVVP (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo) which occurs due to deposition of lump of tiny calcium particles (canaliths) inside the canal of the inner ear. The inner ear helps the vestibular system in balancing the body movement by sending the signal to brain. Deposition of canaliths makes it difficult for inner ear to send the signal properly and hence resulting in sudden head movement and dizziness.
• Sometimes it can also be cause due to acoustic neuroma which is associated to a type of tumour of the nerve tissue of the inner ear. The symptoms of acoustic neuroma includes hearing loss and ringing inside the ear.
• It can also occur due to Meniere’s disease. Meniere’s disease is a disorder related to inner ear which is caused due to fluctuating pressure and build-up fluid inside inner ear. This disease is associated with inconsistent hearing loss along with ringing in the ears.
• Vertigo can also occur due to neck or head injury, medication that cause ear damage, Migraine or other brain problems like tumour and stroke.

• Head Spinning
• Headache
• Sweating
• Abnormal eye movement
• Inconsistent or sudden hearing loss
• Ringing in the ear

Eye movement assessment provides for an excellent tool in neurological assessment. Negligible inertia of eye ball, absence of a stretch reflex in eye muscle and reciprocal firing in agonist – antagonist muscles – these factors mean that eye movement closely correlates with the firing in motor neurons. Thus ocular motor assessment protocols becomes a powerful tool in neurological assessment for a variety of disorders.

ENT:

Ewalds law shows that nystagmus direction correlates with the part of the inner ear being involved with the disease. Thus, single canal, combination of canals and canal – otolith organs have signature nystagmus directions that can be accurately assessed. Combined with head impulse test and a variety of provoking manoeuvres, becomes a robust tool for vestibular assessment.

WHAT IS VNG ?

• VNG or video nystagmography is an important test to evaluate dizzy patients. High speed infra red cameras are used to record eye movements in different tests. The tests allow the doctor to check the functioning of different parts of the balance system and their connections in the brain.

WHAT IS BPPV?

• BPPV is one of the most common causes of vertigo. The full form of BPPV is Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo. In this condition, the patient complains of spinning on getting up from bed or turning the head to certain positions. BPPV is caused by a displaced calcium carbonate crystals with the inner ear. It is treated by identifying the position of the crystals in the ear and repositioning them with specific exercises.

If a person is suffering from vertigo, what activities should be avoided?

• Vertigo can be caused by different diseases of the ear and brain. A complete evaluation will help to ascertain the cause. But some general instructions include avoiding (as prescribed by Doctor), be careful in dark areas or stairs. Avoid alcohol and try to reduce your caffeine (Tea/Coffee) intake.

What are the tests to determine the underlying cause of vertigo?

• After a detailed history, the vertigo patient should undergo a thorough vestibular evaluation. This will include tests like Videonystagmography, Video Head impulse test, Subjective Visual Vertical and Dynamic Visual Acuity. Some patients may require an MRI of the brain. Audiometric tests to measure the hearing function should also be done.

Does listening to music for long hours cause vertigo?

• Loud music or exposure to loud sounds can cause damage to the ear. However it is unusual for it to cause vertigo.

How can Vertigo be treated?

• Vertigo is treatable ! A series of tests done by your doctor will help identify the cause of your vertigo. Once the cause is identified, treatment with medicines or rehabilitation exercises would be advised. Only in very rare cases, surgery is required.

How does Vestibular rehabilitation help in Vertigo and balance disorders?

• Vestibular rehabilitation is very important to help dizzy patients recover their balance. It works on the principle of helping the brain develop alternate strategies to improve balance function. Vestibular rehabilitation exercises need to be tailored to work on the weak balance areas identified by the vestibular tests. They need to be progressively challenging to help the patient recover balance over several weeks.

Do anxiety and stress lead to vertigo?

• Stress is likely to aggravate vertigo caused by Vestibular Migraine. Some conditions like Functional Dizziness are more likely to occur in anxiety prone individuals.

Why is it critical to treat vertigo?

• Any defect in the balance system resulting in vertigo, unsteadiness or imbalance will affect the day-to-day activities of the patient and diminish the quality of life. It may cause a drop in the confidence of the patient as well as induce a fear of falling or movement. Treating vertigo will help restore the balance and confidence of the patient. The fear of movements may cause the patient to restrict themselves to a sedentary lifestyle and lead to depression or anxiety.