Vertigo

Vertigo is a type of dizziness giving a sensation of spinning or swaying, although the body remains still relative to the surroundings. Vertigo can be subjective (false sense of movement) or objective (surroundings "move" out of field of vision). Vertigo can be a symptom of a balance disorder, amongst other conditions.

Causes:

Balance disorder
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)
Blood pressure changes (sudden)
Brain trauma
Carbon monoxide poisoning
Drug toxicity (gentamicin)
Inner ear infection
Meniere's disease
Motion sickness
Skull fracture
Stroke
Superior canal dehiscence syndrome (SCDS)
Syphilis
Tumor

Complications:

Difficulty standing
Difficulty walking
Nausea
Vomiting

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of vertigo is made by a doctor or medical professional. Several types of tests are possible, including vestibular system tests (balance), auditory system tests (hearing) and miscellaneous tests. Vestibular system tests may include caloric reflex test, computerized dynamic posturography (CDP), electronystagmography (ENG), or rotation tests. Auditory tests may include acoustic-reflex, auditory brainstem response (ABR), electrocochleography (ECoG), otoacoustic emissions (OAE), pure-tone audiometry, or speech audiometry. Other tests may include computed axial tomography (CAT or CT scan) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Treatment

Treatment options for vertigo involve treating the specific underlying condition. Vestibular rehabilitation and a variety of medications (anticholinergics, antihistamines, benzodiazepines, calcium channel antagonists, GABA modulators, neurotransmitter reuptake inhibitors, etc.) are possibilities. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) may be treated by the Epley maneuver.

See also:

Balance disorder
Dizziness
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)

Synonyms and other key terms:

Objective vertigo
Subjective vertigo

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Undiag - Undiagnosed Symptoms and Diseases

Vertigo