Health > Vertigo Symptoms, Causes & Treatment. Learn Now!
22nd Sep 2020
vertigo
Health

Vertigo Symptoms, Causes & Treatment. Learn Now!

Have you been feeling off-balance these days? Maybe your head is spinning and your limbs feel weak. The reason behind could be Vertigo and its associated symptoms.

An issue that has been troubling people all over the world, Vertigo is a curable one that only asks for some attention.

Let’s start giving it that attention today, with the help of this article. We’ll be talking about everything from what it is, to symptoms, causes, types and the treatment.

Stay tuned with an open mind to learn about Vertigo today.

What is Vertigo?

The first question people ask when they come across this not so common word is ‘what is the meaning of vertigo?’. Well, if you have felt the world spinning around you, there’s a chance you might be suffering from vertigo.

Some people may confuse it with dizziness, but the two terms don’t mean the same. A check-up is thus necessary. While dizziness might not be harmful, vertigo is a sign of something serious like an inner ear problem.

Most people just get to feel vertigo for some moments but some may get it occasionally and may even get it for hours. You might find it difficult to move as the spinning head makes you feel extremely weak. Also, it is better to avoid walking otherwise there are chances of getting injuries or a fall.

The vertigo problem is something that affects almost any age group and about 8% of Indians already suffer from it.

It’s thus important to get yourself tested if you have signs of any vertigo attack and don’t want to increase that number.

So, is vertigo curable? Yes, fortunately, it is. We will discuss this further in this article, but let’s first talk about some other signs and symptoms that come with vertigo for you to get more clarity on it.

What are the signs of Vertigo?

There are numerous signs and symptoms of vertigo that can help you understand it.

For example, you may feel ringing in the ears, problems trying to focus your eyes on something, or problems trying to walk with balance. Sweating, vomiting or nausea may also follow these symptoms.

You might not be able to hear from one ear. Or maybe you experience an inability to speak clear i.e., stuttering. Double vision is quite common with vertigo. You may feel faint even when lying down at times and when standing you may feel like swaying to one direction.

Some people experience vertigo symptoms like difficulty in swallowing, along with facial paralysis or weak limbs. Headaches, fever, and numbness are common too.

What are the causes/reasons for Vertigo in the Elderly?

Vertigo is a symptom itself of a bigger problem. The bigger problem can be stroke, medications, migraines, or a head injury.

These vertigo causes are not quite common though. The one that causes the most trouble is the inner ear disorder.

Here’s the thing. An inner ear disorder leads to a mismatch in the signals you get from the inner ear and what you receive from your eyes and sensory nerves.

But what is an inner ear disorder? Well, we’ll explain that with these three types.

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV):

What is BPPV vertigo? Well, this is a question many people ask as it is the most common cause of vertigo.

BPPV mostly happens to people above the age of 50. You are more likely to be having BPPV if you recently got a blow on your head, or maybe had to lie down on your back for long periods, for example in the dentist’s chair.

Damage to your inner ear may also be a reason for this cause of vertigo. You may feel dizzy and painful migraines if this is the cause of your vertigo.

Ménière’s Disease:

If you feel ringing in the ear often or hearing loss in one ear, then the cause of your vertigo most likely is Ménière’s disease. This happens due to a change in pressure in the ear or building up of fluid. The chronic condition usually doesn’t have anything to do with age and may happen to anyone.

Labyrinthitis:

Some viral infection may lead to inflammation around the inner ear and may affect the nerves responsible for sending the correct signals to your brain. This inner ear disorder is called Labyrinthitis.

Vertigo symptoms concerning Labyrinthitis include hearing loss, nausea and the inability to walk straight with balance.

What are the types of Vertigo?

There are mainly only two types of vertigo. Central and Peripheral vertigo. Central vertigo is the rare one among the two. It happens when there’s a problem with a certain part of your brain (cerebellum).

Peripheral vertigo, on the other hand, is generally what we have been talking about all this while. It is caused due to inner ear disorder. And as we already talked about, Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo is the one that happens to most vertigo victims.

But what causes BPPV attacks? Well, Benign Positional Vertigo happens when small crystals of calcium get loose and start moving into your inner ear canals. They clump in there which means the inner ear isn’t able to send the signals correctly anymore.

Some people ask ‘is BPPV hereditary’. Well, it can be hereditary, but it doesn’t need to always be.

Another frequently asked question is ‘can BPPV go away on its own’. The answer to this is yes. Doctors call BPPV ‘self-limiting’ and say that the symptoms subside over time. Although, in many cases, they do return back only for a small time.

What is the best treatment for Vertigo?

Just like a treatment for any other condition, the vertigo treatment is also dependent on what the real root cause is. You might take medicines to shove off the symptoms under a carpet, but eventually, they would return if the root problem isn’t solved.

For this, you will first be required to go for a vertigo test and see what your condition is. Ask your doctor how to cure vertigo permanently and follow the instructions.

To start with, your doctor may tell you some vertigo exercises to handle the symptoms. One of them is the Epley maneuver. This is one of the great home remedies for vertigo.

Here’s what you do during this exercise.

  • Sit on your bed.
  • Move your head 45 degrees to the right side.
  • Lie back with the head in the same position. Make sure your shoulders are on the pillow and your head is to the right at 45 degrees. Wait there for about 30 seconds.
  • Move your head to the left – about 90 degrees. Don’t raise it though. Wait for 30 seconds
  • Next, move your head with your body again to the left -another 90 degrees.
  • Wait for 30 seconds.
  • Then sit up on the bed – you will be on the left side.

These steps are good if your problem is in the right ear. Do the same 7 steps from left to right if the problem is with the left ear.

Also, whether you are sure or not, it is suggested you watch a video online about this vertigo treatment at home to make sure you follow the right steps. A visual is much more helpful to understand better.

Make sure to not stand up suddenly from the lying down position after performing this exercise. Also, you may feel a minor non-vertigo headache after Epley maneuver, but it’s common and you will be fine in some time after that.

People also ask their doctors about homoeopathic treatment for vertigo. Although there are some types of medicine available and we will name them for you here, you need to ask our doctor about them before having them.

One of the most famous homoeopathic remedies for vertigo is Cocculus. It has been recommended since traditional times. Others are Conium, Gelsemium, Pulsatilla, Phosphorus, and Bryonia.

Homoeopathy for vertigo problems may be an excellent option for you, as it is not only very effective but may also amp up your immunity.

To avoid vertigo complications, you may even use methods which do not involve any medicines or typical procedures. For example, you can use yoga for vertigo, ayurvedic treatment for vertigo and even treatment involving acupressure points for vertigo.

Read More: How to Care for Alzheimer Patients? Having a Compassionate Approach

Other FAQs

Can stress cause vertigo?

Ans. No, it can’t directly cause vertigo. But it can be a contributing factor.

Does vertigo go away gradually?

Ans. Yes, in most cases.

Can headphones cause vertigo?

Ans. Yes, high volume sound from your headphones or earphones can damage the mechanism of the inner ear and may lead to vertigo.

Can food allergies cause vertigo?

Ans. Yes, at times.

Is celery juice good for vertigo?

Ans. Yes, it has anti-inflammatory properties that are known to heal symptoms of vertigo.

How long does vertigo last?

Ans. It can be for moments or your hours. And may return time and again until you solve the root cause.

Is vertigo dangerous?

Ans. No, vertigo is not dangerous. It can only be too troublesome.

What happens if vertigo is left untreated?

Ans. The symptoms may go eventually as the root disease gets treated. But if the root disease is left untreated, vertigo symptoms may only increase.

Wrapping Up

Vertigo is a symptom of underlying problems that ask for your attention with issues like nausea, head spinning, hearing loss and all that we talked about. It can be cured and there’s nothing much to worry about.

You can opt for homoeopathic, ayurvedic or a medicinal based treatment. Exercises like Epley maneuver and yoga may help. It’s always better to have someone around you to help with the yoga postures.

Also, make sure you do not take stress as it is a contributing factor to vertigo symptoms. We agree we are living in stressful times these days, but we should also remember we have the control to be at peace.

Relieve your stress with us at Emoha. Check out Moh TV if you haven’t already. Not only will you combat loneliness but you will have a good time participating in enjoyable online activities of all sorts with us.

The good vibes will help eventually get rid of vertigo and any such issues troubling you. And with our Empower plan you get Regular Care Calls and Medication Reminders already which are bound to streamline the process of your vertigo treatment if you are suffering from it.

Have questions? Drop them in the comments or ask us at 1800-203-5135 today! We are here for all your queries and concerns.