Vertigo comes from Latin verto meaning spin.
Vertigo is a sudden internal or external spinning sensation often triggered by moving the head too quickly. It affects about 20-40% of the people.
What to do immediately
- Lying down
- Sitting down straight away and rising slowly when getting up usually helps
- If it persists, using a cane, walking stick helps.
- Avoid driving vehicles.
- Immediately seek medical attention.
- If associated with blackout, seek neurologist help
The ear is the main balancing organ of the body (85% control). Eyes (Vision) gives 10% input and joints (proprioceptive organs) give 5% input for balance.
Classification:
A.
- Objective (Objects around moving)
- Subjective (Person moving)
- Pseudo-vertigo (Rotation within head)
B.
Peripheral or Otologic or Vestibular – bppv, cold, superior canal dehiscence, common cold, aminoglycosides, fractures, motion sickness
C. Central – Brainstem or Cerebellum
Causes:
- Infarction
- Hemorrhage
- Tumors of cerebellopontine angle
- Vestibular rehnuma
- Epilepsy
- Cervical spondylosis
- Migraine
- Lateral medullar syndrome
- Chiari malformation
- Multiple sclerosis
- Parkinsonism
- PAN – positional alcoholic hysterons
- Alternobaric vertigo
- Decompression sickness
- Vertebro
- Basilar insufficiency
Symptoms:
- Unsteadiness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fall
- Difficulty in walking
- Blurred vision
- Low consciousness
- Hearing loss
Vertigo with or without vomiting is seen during travel and is called motion sickness. Vertigo associated with hearing loss is Meniere’s disease, labyrinthitis, vestibular neurogenic tumor, most commonly seen is BPPV (Beningn paroxymalpositional vertigo).
Vertigo can be associated with dehydration, migraine, or alcohol.
Tests:
- Dix – Hallpike
- Calorific reflex
- Computerized dynamic post urography
- CT
- MRI
- PTA Tympanometry
- BERA
Dr. Mahesh Meda | Consultant ENT | Narayana Multispeciality Hospital, HSR Layout