Vertigo Specialist

What is vertigo?

Vertigo is a specific type of dizziness that makes you feel like you or your surroundings are spinning around. You may also have symptoms such as:

• Loss of balance
• Involuntary eye movements
• Feeling disoriented
• Ringing in your ear
• Headaches

Though an episode of vertigo usually lasts a short time, ongoing vertigo problems continue until you get treatment.

How does vertigo differ from dizziness?

Dizziness causes several sensations, including lightheadedness, loss of balance, a floating feeling, and vertigo. Many problems can make you feel dizzy, including:

• Ear disorders
• Inner ear infection
• Migraines
• Allergies
• Traumatic brain injury
• Irregular heart rhythm
• Low blood sugar
• Medications 

You could also feel dizzy due to dehydration or when you’re under stress.

What causes vertigo?

Vertigo also has many possible causes, depending on whether you have central or peripheral vertigo: 

Central vertigo

Central vertigo occurs when a health condition affects the part of your brain that regulates balance. Conditions that often cause vertigo include: 

• Migraines
• Stroke
• Tumors
• Concussion
• Multiple sclerosis

Some medications can also lead to central vertigo. 

Peripheral vertigo

You develop peripheral vertigo when you have a problem with your inner ear or the nerve that carries information from your ear to your brain. A few possible causes include: 

• Inner ear infection
• Inflamed or damaged nerve
• Meniere’s disease
• Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)

BPPV is the most common cause of vertigo. This condition occurs when calcium crystals develop and interfere with the fluid-filled tubes in your inner ear that regulate balance. 

How is vertigo diagnosed?

Your Complete Neurological Care provider carefully evaluates your medical history, symptoms, medications, and lifestyle habits to identify potential reasons for your vertigo. After a physical and neurological exam, they perform one of several specialized tests.

For example, you may need balance testing, rotary chair testing, or a vestibular nystagmography (VNG) test. VNG is a four-part test that helps your provider diagnose problems with your inner ear or central motor function. 

How is vertigo treated?

Complete Neurological Care develops a customized treatment plan based on the cause of your vertigo. Your treatment plan may include one or more of the following:

• Epley maneuver for BPPV
• Vestibular rehabilitation
• Dietary changes
• Intratympanic injections
• Medications

Vertigo and dizziness increase your risk of falling, so your provider also talks with you about how to prevent falls. 

If you need treatment for vertigo, call Complete Neurological Care, or book an appointment online today.