By Dizziness due to hyperglycemia and Vertigo are similar to motion sickness that causes your surroundings to spin or move. However, it is not the same as motion sickness and comes with different symptoms as well. Many people consider it more as a symptom rather than a condition. This condition can be both very light to severe.
Also, they can last longer or for a shorter time based on the severity. If the sensation is very low, you might not be able to notice it. In case of severe vertigo, the symptoms can stay for many days. It makes everyday life very difficult to live and spend.
Vertigo can happen at different ages, from young to adults. However, people who are aged 65 years have a higher risk of developing this condition. Also, vertigo can occur as a symptom of ear infection and during pregnancy. In addition, some people are diagnosed with different disorders, such as Meniere’s disease, and others can also experience vertigo.
What Is Vertigo?
Vertigo is a spinning sensation that feels like dizziness. It can make your surroundings spin in circles. Many people might mistake it for fear of height or motion sickness. However, it is a symptom more than a condition that happens for many different reasons. You can find two different vertigo types: central vertigo and peripheral vertigo.
A problem in the vestibular nerve or inner ear causes peripheral vertigo. The vestibular nerve is responsible for connecting the brain with the inner ear. On the other hand, central vertigo is caused by a problem in the brain. The problem may be caused by brain injury, stroke, brain tumor, infection, multiple sclerosis, etc.
Pregnant women also have a high risk of developing vertigo. In addition, many women experience dizziness during pregnancy due to rapidly changing blood sugar.
The best way to identify vertigo is by looking at the symptoms.
Vertigo Symptoms
A person going through vertigo might develop many different symptoms along with spinning sensations. You need to know what the vertigo symptoms are to get the proper treatment. Although vertigo is a symptom, it can be associated with many other symptoms.
- Lightheadedness
- Balance problems
- Vomiting and nausea
- Motion sickness sensation
- A full feeling in both ears
- Tinnitus or ringing in both ears
- Nystagmus, a condition that makes the eyes move without any control, usually from sides
- Tilting
- Spinning
- Pulled in one direction
- Swaying
- Nauseated feeling
- Loss of hearing
- Blurred vision
- Double vision
- Facial paralysis
- Difficulty swallowing
- Weak limbs
- Slurred speech
The symptoms can stay from some minutes to hours and days based on the severity of the condition. Whatever the symptom is, if it is severe, make sure to visit a doctor for treatment. Avoiding the symptoms can make the situation worse and cause you to be unstable anywhere.
Vertigo Causes
It is hard to pinpoint what causes vertigo if you are not familiar with the causes. So, you need to have an idea of which factors can cause this condition. Based on what causes vertigo, the type is determined if it is central or peripheral. So, here are some of the most common causes of vertigo given below in detail.
- An infection in the vestibular nerve, which is a prevalent cause of developing vertigo. The condition is known as vestibular neuronitis, labyrinthitis, or vestibular neuritis.
- The inner ear structure getting inflamed spontaneously is another very common cause of vertigo. Small stones and crystals are usually found in the inner ear that can irritate when displaced. It leads to vertigo, which is known as BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo)
- Vestibular nerve tumors are also known as acoustic neuromas. It can also cause vertigo as a symptom.
- Another thing that can cause vertigo is the inner ear fluid buildup or endolymphatic fluid. They also cause Meniere’s disease that results in developing hearing loss, ringing in the air, and vertigo. It is still unknown what causes this fluid.
- Any traumatic or concussion brain injury can cause vertigo.
- Multiple sclerosis
- Strokes can cause loss of coordination along with vertigo.
- Patients with a specific migraine headache known as vestibular migraine might experience vertigo as a symptom.
- Spinal cord and brain tumors
Apart from that, women older than 50 years old also have a higher chance of developing this condition. So, now that you know what is vertigo, along with other details, you need to know its effects.
Vertigo Effects
Vertigo can ruin your daily life experience and cause you to be unstable anywhere. As the condition can develop with many different conditions, you need to pinpoint the cause very quickly to treat it. Otherwise, you might not be able to drive, perform tasks, or work when it appears.
People who have persistent vertigo are not advised to drive by doctors. It can be dangerous to be outside if you have severe vertigo as it can cause disorientation anywhere. Among all the different effects, vertigo is very commonly known for making people fall over.
Older people can get their bones fractured with a fall. So, this is a serious concern for all the older people and needs to be addressed very fast. Let’s find out how to treat vertigo to prevent all of these risks and effects.
Vertigo Treatment
The treatment of vertigo depends on the cause and severity of the condition. Some of the most common treatment options include medications, vestibular rehabilitation, and others. Drugs like meclizine are beneficial to treat this condition. It is an antihistamine that is also used to treat motion sickness.
If Meniere’s disease causes vertigo, then this medicine can be very effective. However, this medicine is not recommended for older people as it can cause amnesia or confusion. Apart from medications, exercises are also a very beneficial treatment for vertigo.
Exercises like VRT (Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy), habituation, gaze stabilization, and others are very useful to treat the discomfort caused by vertigo. VRT exercises depend on the patients and their symptoms. It is best to take the help of a physiotherapist if you have severe vertigo.
Some home remedies can be used in case of slight vertigo. For example, essential oils and other home ingredients can help you get temporary relief from light vertigo symptoms.
Tips For Managing Vertigo
There are a few triggers that are not very well known. These triggers can be controlled by controlling a few habits such as the following:
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Getting proper sleep. The amount of sleep you get can play a crucial role for you to manage your condition. Inadequate sleep may be caused due to sleep deprivation. Thus, it is important to get proper rest.
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Keeping yourself hydrated is also very important as it can cause dehydration that can be detrimental for you. The presence of less amount of water in your body can trigger vertigo.
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Make sure you are consuming appropriate amounts of minerals and vitamins. For example, the deficiency of Vitamin D can lead to worsening of vertigo symptoms.
If you are experiencing symptoms of vertigo, it is best to avoid alcohol as it can lead to dehydration, dizziness as well as affects balance. All of these can aggravate the extent of vertigo.
Conclusion
Vertigo is not a life-threatening issue if treated early. However, severe vertigo can be very dangerous as it causes disorientation. It can ruin your daily work and prevent you from going outside. So, make sure to go through the symptoms mentioned above and identify them to get the proper treatment. You can find all the information about vertigo in this article.
FAQs
1. What Are The First Signs Of Vertigo?
First signs of vertigo can be experienced as dizziness, problem focusing the eyes, hearing loss in one ear, ringing in the ears, vomiting, sweating and balance problems. These signs can let you know that something is wrong with your ears and you must get a check-up done soon.
2. Is Vertigo Serious?
Vertigo can become a serious issue if it is not balanced. If a sense of imbalance is accompanied by chest pain, shortness of breath and facial numbness, you must contact the emergency services immediately.
3. What Is The Best Way To Control Vertigo?
The best way to control vertigo is through trying movements that can control the issue. You can tilt your head 45-degrees away from the side that is “causing” vertigo. You may also try lying on one side with your nose pointing upwards. Staying in this position for a few seconds- around 30 seconds- can prove to be beneficial.
4. What Triggers Vertigo?
Vertigo can be triggered due to migraine headaches, diabetes, prolonged bed rest, head injury, stroke, medications such as antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and cardiovascular drugs.
5. Are There Home Remedies For Vertigo?
Home remedies for vertigo include practicing yoga, Epley Maneuver, Brandt-Daroff Exercise, Or Semont-Toupet Maneuver. These maneuvers and exercises are effective in reducing the discomfort that is experienced from vertigo.
Another home remedy is to practice meditation or other techniques for stress management as stress can be a trigger for vertigo. These can include deep breathing techniques as well.
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