Episodes of vertigo and dizziness are common, short-lived, and typically infrequent. But if your vertigo recurs or it’s severe enough to put you at risk for falling, it’s time to see Amor Mehta, MD, and the team at the Neurology Center for Epilepsy and Seizures in Marlboro Township, New Jersey. They have extensive experience in determining the cause of your vertigo and developing an individualized treatment that relieves your symptoms. If you have questions about vertigo or you’d like to schedule an appointment, call the office or use the online booking feature.
Dizziness is a general term referring to lightheadedness, loss of balance, and vertigo. Vertigo specifically refers to the sensation that you or your surroundings are spinning. While vertigo is a type of dizziness, the two conditions arise from different causes.
Your body relies on multiple systems to maintain balance. Health conditions that affect these systems and cause dizziness include:
- Inner ear infections
- Neurological conditions
- Traumatic brain injury
- Low blood sugar
- Certain medications
Many people get dizzy when they’re overheated or dehydrated.
Vertigo develops due to problems in your central nervous system or your ear. When the cause lies in your central nervous system, your vertigo may be due to:
- Multiple sclerosis
- Acoustic neuroma
If ear problems are to blame, your vertigo may be caused by vestibular neuritis or Meniere’s disease. However, the most common problem is called benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).
BPPV occurs when tiny crystals normally found inside the ear break away and float in the fluid-filled semicircular canals. The canals have an essential role in maintaining your balance. When the crystals disrupt fluid movement in the canals, you develop vertigo.
In addition to the sensation of spinning, you may also have:
- Involuntary eye movements
- Ringing in your ears
- Balance problems
- Feelings of disorientation
Vertigo is often triggered by rapid head movement, such as when you roll over in bed.
After reviewing your medical history and performing an exam, your provider at the Neurology Center for Epilepsy and Seizures may conduct hearing or balance tests to determine the cause of your vertigo. Then they recommend treatment based on the underlying cause.
To treat BPPV, your provider puts you through a series of simple, slow movements that change your head position. The goal is to make the crystals move out of the semicircular canals and into an area of your inner ear where they’re harmless.
Your treatment may include medications to alleviate nausea, vestibular suppressants to relieve dizziness, and water pills to eliminate the buildup of fluids caused by Meniere’s disease.