What Does Vertigo Do?

[flavanugz]

hahahahahaha.

at least im not up against SCOACH

[darkbeat4eva]

What does Vertigo do when there's like a really good movie on Lifetime or Oxygen? Do you guys like close?

[cornergirl]

What does Vertigo do when there's like a really good movie on Lifetime or Oxygen? Do you guys like close?

for THAT, yes we do.

[stymie]

wdVd?

[darkbeat4eva]

[mixwell]

Bring back VOX. I know there are fans

[toocool]

just diggers....

Thu 05/11 John Digweed (Brighton, UK)

Eli wilkie (Boston, USA)

haha i bought that. so believable coming from you

[discokitten]

coumadin isn't really 'fun'. it makes your blood not clot.

The antidote is Vitamin K...but not the one you're all thinking of.

[flavanugz]

can u hook me up with some iocane powder, disco?

[darkbeat4eva]

My dad takes coumadin because he has a fake aorta. True story.

[discokitten]

can u hook me up with some iocane powder, disco?

Iocaine, I bet my life on it.

Narckety, narc, narc, narc...

[cornergirl]

blah

[icyclexii]

* Definition of Vertigo

* Description of Vertigo

* Causes and Risk Factors of Vertigo

* Symptoms of Vertigo

* Treatment of Vertigo

* Questions To Ask Your Doctor About Vertigo

Definition of Vertigo

Vertigo is a type of dizziness felt as a shift in a person's relationship to the normal environment (a feeling that the room is spinning is common) or a sense of movement in space.

Although dizziness and vertigo are often used interchangeably, they are not the same thing. While all vertigo is dizziness, not all dizziness is vertigo.

True vertigo, from the Latin "vertere," to turn, is a distinct, often severe form of dizziness that is a movement hallucination.

Description of Vertigo

There are four major types of dizziness - vertigo, presyncope, disequilibrium, and lightheadedness.

Most patients with true vertigo have a peripheral vestibular disorder, such as benign positional vertigo. This is usually associated with tinnitus and hearing loss.

Central disorders, such as brain stem or cerebellar lesions, tend to be more chronic but less intense than peripheral disorders and are not associated with hearing loss. Central disorders account for only 15 percent of patients with vertigo.

Vertigo is the illusion that you - or your surroundings - are moving. You may feel that you are spinning, tilting, rocking, or falling through space. You may vomit or have ringing in the ears (tinnitus). Also, your eyes may uncontrollably jerk back and forth (a condition called nystagmus).

Causes and Risk Factors of Vertigo

There are several causes of vertigo:

Benign positional paroxysmal vertigo (BPPV) is a disorder of the inner ear. The cause usually is unknown, but an upper respiratory tract infection or a minor blow to the head may be responsible. This type of vertigo occurs abruptly when you move your head up and down, or when you turn over in bed. Symptoms can be distressing but they fade in a few seconds. Avoiding positions that bring this on may reduce its occurrence.

BPPV is the commonest form of vertigo, with attacks lasting 30 to 60 seconds, typically set off when rolling over in bed, moving the head to one side or reaching for something ("top-shelf vertigo"). Sufferers can usually describe specific head movements that trigger it.

Although BPPV often occurs for no apparent reason, it can follow an ear infection, head or ear injury, and is thought to result from the dislodgement of normal crystalline structures in the ear's balance detectors. People with BPPV are often relieved to hear that it is due to an inner ear condition and does not signify some serious disorder such as a stroke or tumor.

Labyrinthitis refers to a variety of conditions within the inner ear. It may be associated with inflammation, an upper respiratory infection or nerve deterioration, but often occurs independently of other problems.

Central nervous system disorders that can cause vertigo as a symptom include multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, neck injuries, certain forms of migraine, acoustic neuroma, cerebellar and brain stem tumors, and TIAS (transient ischemic attacks).

Symptoms of Vertigo

A patient may experience severe vertigo for days or weeks. Nausea, vomiting, and involuntary eye movements are common. The condition gradually improves, but symptoms can persist for weeks or months.

Treatment of Vertigo

Treatment depends on the diagnosis. A complete medical evaluation is recommended for anyone with vertigo. This can reveal the true cause and suggest one or more solutions based upon treating the underlying disorder.

Questions To Ask Your Doctor About Vertigo

Is it true vertigo?

What is the probable cause?

Is it related to a central nervous system disorder?

How can the symptoms be controlled?

Do I need to see a specialist?

excellent summary howie!

i just had an interesting case of a girl with vertigo (specifically, oscillopsia), nausea/vomiting and severe ataxia without tinnitus or nystagmus. MRI showed what appeared like a T2-hyperintense paracentral subcortical lesion, no involvement of the 8th nerve or other focal intensities. Dr. howie, what is the differential diagnosis and what further tests would you do?