If you suffer from vertigo, you know how difficult it can be to function every day. Although doctors cannot cure vertigo, they can prescribe you the right medicines to ease its symptoms.
In this article, you will learn about vertigo and its symptoms, as well as the different types of vertigo and how they are treated. This comprehensive guide should answer all of your questions about finding the best specialist for you.
Vertigo, Defined
Vertigo is the feeling that you or your surroundings are moving or spinning, even when they are not. It is a symptom of another condition that affects many parts of your body and can be caused by exposure to motion, changes in your ear, and other factors.
Causes of Vertigo
There are many causes of vertigo, and the most common one is benign positional vertigo. Benign means that it is not a life-threatening condition, while positional means that your vertigo comes from a specific body position. The most common cause of this type of vertigo is when you experience changes in head and/or body positions.
Vertigo Symptoms
If you have vertigo, then you know the feeling of constant spinning. It can make it difficult to do simple tasks like walking or driving. It also feels like you are on an amusement park ride that never ends. Symptoms of vertigo include dizziness, nausea, vomiting, difficulty with balance and coordination, and lightheadedness.
Types of Vertigo and How They’re Treated
There are many types of vertigo, and doctors will typically prescribe specific treatment for each type. A common type of vertigo is Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), also known as positional vertigo. It occurs when tiny crystals in the inner ear get displaced and end up getting stuck in the semicircular canal.
The crystals send false signals to the brain that cause you to have sensations such as spinning or rocking back and forth. BPPV most often affects people who have experienced trauma to the head or neck, but it can also be caused by viral infections, migraine headaches, or autoimmune disorders.
If your doctor diagnoses you with BPPV, they may prescribe medication such as benzodiazepines to control it. Another type of vertigo is acute peripheral vestibular dysfunction (APVD). APVD is more severe than BPPV because it affects not just the semicircular canal but also your otolith organs.
When this happens, symptoms include aches in different parts of your body, nausea, vomiting, and headaches. Your doctor will probably diagnose APVD from physical exams and observations before prescribing any medication. Acute vestibular neuritis (AVN) is another form of vertigo that usually lasts for about three weeks at a time. AVN can be caused by bacterial or viral infections or illnesses like Lyme disease or influenza. It often comes with
Finding the Right Vertigo Specialist for You
If you suffer from vertigo, you may be looking for the right vertigo specialist to help. Two kinds of specialists treat vertigo: neurologists and otolaryngologists. Neurologists specialize in medical illnesses of the brain and spine while otolaryngologists specialize in disorders of the ear, nose, throat, head, and neck.
There are many causes of vertigo such as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), Meniere’s disease, vestibular neuronitis, or a concussion. And it is important to find a specialist who specializes in this area so they can understand your condition and prescribe you the best treatment.