Vertigo - General Information
An Illusion of Motion
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
What is vertigo?
Vertigo is a sensation of motion or spinning that is often described as dizziness. Vertigo is not the same as light-headedness. You may think that you or your surroundings are spinning even though you are not moving. Vertigo may be caused by problems that affect your inner ear or the part of your brain that controls balance. People with vertigo feel as though they are actually spinning or moving, or that the world is spinning around them.
What causes vertigo?
The inner ear is filled with fluid and contains a nerve and small organs that help you maintain your balance. Vertigo may be caused by diseases or conditions that affect your inner ear or the part of your brain that controls balance. Any of the following can cause vertigo:
What are the signs and symptoms of vertigo?
You may feel that you or everything around you is moving or spinning. You may also feel like you are being pulled down or toward your side. Symptoms may occur after you change positions, such as when you turn over in bed or move your head or neck:
How is vertigo diagnosed?
Your healthcare provider will ask about what triggered your vertigo, when it started, and how long it lasted. You may also be asked about past diseases, travels, activities, trauma, and medicines. Your healthcare provider may move your head in different directions. This will check to see if a problem in the inner ear is causing your vertigo. You may be asked to do some exercises that could make you dizzy. You may also need one or more of the following tests:
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
What is vertigo?
Vertigo is a sensation of motion or spinning that is often described as dizziness. Vertigo is not the same as light-headedness. You may think that you or your surroundings are spinning even though you are not moving. Vertigo may be caused by problems that affect your inner ear or the part of your brain that controls balance. People with vertigo feel as though they are actually spinning or moving, or that the world is spinning around them.
What causes vertigo?
The inner ear is filled with fluid and contains a nerve and small organs that help you maintain your balance. Vertigo may be caused by diseases or conditions that affect your inner ear or the part of your brain that controls balance. Any of the following can cause vertigo:
- Small particles that float in the inner ear fluid move out of place and cause irritation
- Ménière disease
- Swelling of the nerve in your ear caused by an infection
- Ear trauma that causes an abnormal connection between the inner and middle ear
- An inner ear infection that causes swelling, eardrum thickening, or abnormal skin growth in the ear
- A neurologic condition such as multiple sclerosis, migraine, tumor, or stroke
- Panic and anxiety disorders
- Alcohol in large amounts
What are the signs and symptoms of vertigo?
You may feel that you or everything around you is moving or spinning. You may also feel like you are being pulled down or toward your side. Symptoms may occur after you change positions, such as when you turn over in bed or move your head or neck:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Trouble with your balance
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Weakness, slurred speech, problems seeing or moving, or increased sleepiness
- Facial weakness and headache
- Hearing loss, ear fullness or pain, or hearing ringing sounds
- Fast, uncontrolled movement of your eyes
How is vertigo diagnosed?
Your healthcare provider will ask about what triggered your vertigo, when it started, and how long it lasted. You may also be asked about past diseases, travels, activities, trauma, and medicines. Your healthcare provider may move your head in different directions. This will check to see if a problem in the inner ear is causing your vertigo. You may be asked to do some exercises that could make you dizzy. You may also need one or more of the following tests:
- An electronystagmography (ENG) is done to test for problems you may have with balance or dizziness. Sticky pads with wires are placed on the skin around your eyes. The wires are connected to a machine that records information during your ENG. Warm and cool air or water is put into your ears while your eye movements are recorded. Do not drink alcohol or eat a heavy meal before this test. You may feel dizzy or nauseated after the test.
- An auditory brainstem response (ABR) test is used to play a series of clicks through headsets on your ears. A machine measures how your cochlea and nerves react to the clicks.
- An MRI may be used to check for problems that can cause vertigo. Do not enter the MRI room with anything metal. Metal can cause serious damage. Tell the healthcare provider if you have any metal in or on your body.
How is Vertigo Treated?
Treatment will depend on the condition causing the vertigo. Your healthcare provider may suggest that you rest in bed, avoid certain activities, and change some of the foods you eat. Medicines that may be causing your vertigo may need to be decreased or stopped.
You may also need any of the following:
Self-care:
Balance therapy: You may need to see a therapist to teach you special exercises. These exercises will help your brain adapt to the dizziness. This will help decrease your vertigo and improve your balance. Ask for more information about this therapy.
Follow up with your healthcare provider as directed: Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.
Possible Complications
Vertigo can interfere with driving, work, and lifestyle. It can also cause falls, which can lead to many injuries, including hip fractures.
To prevent worsening of symptoms during an episode of vertigo, try the following:
You may need help walking when symptoms occur. Avoid hazardous activities such as driving, operating heavy machinery, and climbing until after symptoms have disappeared.
Seek care immediately if:
When should I contact my healthcare provider?
Informed consent:
If you have to be hospitalized for vertigo
An informed consent is a legal document that explains the tests, treatments, or procedures that you may need. Informed consent means you understand what will be done and can make decisions about what you want. You give your permission when you sign the consent form. You can have someone sign this form for you if you are not able to sign it. You have the right to understand your medical care in words you know. Before you sign the consent form, understand the risks and benefits of what will be done. Make sure all your questions are answered.
An IV is a small tube placed in your vein that is used to give you medicine or liquids.
Medicines:
Tests:
Treatments:
RISKS:
Infections that cause vertigo can go to the brain and may be life-threatening. You may also lose your hearing completely. Severe vertigo may make it difficult to do your usual activities and may affect your quality of life.
CARE AGREEMENT:
You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.
You may also need any of the following:
- Medicines may be given to relieve your vertigo. You may also be given medicine to relieve symptoms caused by vertigo, such as nausea, vomiting, and headache. If a bacterial infection is causing your vertigo, your healthcare provider may give you antibiotics.
- Surgery may be done to correct certain problems in the ears or brain
- Therapy may be used to help decrease your dizziness, improve your balance, and prevent injuries.
Self-care:
- Do not walk without help, drive a car, or operate heavy machinery if you feel dizzy.
- Move slowly and let yourself get used to one position before you move to another position.
- Sit or lie down right away if you feel dizzy.
Balance therapy: You may need to see a therapist to teach you special exercises. These exercises will help your brain adapt to the dizziness. This will help decrease your vertigo and improve your balance. Ask for more information about this therapy.
Follow up with your healthcare provider as directed: Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.
Possible Complications
Vertigo can interfere with driving, work, and lifestyle. It can also cause falls, which can lead to many injuries, including hip fractures.
To prevent worsening of symptoms during an episode of vertigo, try the following:
- Keep still. Sit or lie down when symptoms occur.
- Gradually resume activity.
- Avoid sudden position changes.
- Do not try to read when symptoms occur.
- Avoid bright lights.
You may need help walking when symptoms occur. Avoid hazardous activities such as driving, operating heavy machinery, and climbing until after symptoms have disappeared.
Seek care immediately if:
- You have any of the following signs of a stroke:
- Numbness or drooping on one side of your face
- Weakness in an arm or leg
- Confusion or difficulty speaking
- Dizziness, a severe headache, or vision loss
- You have blood, pus, or fluid coming out of your ears.
When should I contact my healthcare provider?
- Your dizziness does not go away.
- You have some hearing loss or hear ringing or buzzing in your ears.
- You have questions about your condition or care.
Informed consent:
If you have to be hospitalized for vertigo
An informed consent is a legal document that explains the tests, treatments, or procedures that you may need. Informed consent means you understand what will be done and can make decisions about what you want. You give your permission when you sign the consent form. You can have someone sign this form for you if you are not able to sign it. You have the right to understand your medical care in words you know. Before you sign the consent form, understand the risks and benefits of what will be done. Make sure all your questions are answered.
An IV is a small tube placed in your vein that is used to give you medicine or liquids.
Medicines:
- Medicine may be given to help stop your dizziness. This medicine may help you stay calm and relaxed. Sometimes the medicine can make you sleepy. Medicine may also be given to treat symptoms caused by vertigo, such as nausea or a headache.
- Antibiotics may be given to treat a bacterial infection.
- Diuretics may be given to help reduce fluid buildup. You may urinate more while you are taking this medicine.
- Steroids may be given to help reduce swelling.
Tests:
- Blood tests may be used to check for infection or other problems that may be causing your vertigo.
- A lumbar puncture, or spinal tap, is a procedure used to remove fluid from around your spinal cord. The fluid will be tested for infection, bleeding around your brain and spinal cord, or other problems. Sometimes medicine may be put into your back to treat your illness.
Treatments:
- Repositioning procedures involve moving your head in certain directions. This helps move the small particles which are out of place and causing irritation back into the inner ear.
- Surgery may be done to rebuild or remove a diseased part of the ear. Pus in the inner ear caused by an infection may be drained. With recurrent infections, a tube may be placed in the eardrum to prevent another infection. Surgery may also be done to repair holes, correct fistulas, or cut the nerve of the ear. Vertigo that is caused by bleeding in the brain may be treated by removing blood clots and releasing pressure.
RISKS:
Infections that cause vertigo can go to the brain and may be life-threatening. You may also lose your hearing completely. Severe vertigo may make it difficult to do your usual activities and may affect your quality of life.
CARE AGREEMENT:
You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.
