What Causes Vertigo?
Vertigo is a sensation of spinning, dizziness, or imbalance that can significantly impact daily life. Unlike regular dizziness, vertigo gives a false sense that either you or your surroundings are moving or spinning. This condition can stem from various causes, and understanding them is crucial for effective management and treatment.
Inner Ear Disorders
The most common cause of vertigo is related to problems in the inner ear, which is responsible for maintaining balance. Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) is a prevalent condition that occurs when tiny calcium particles (canaliths) clump in the canals of the inner ear. These particles interfere with normal fluid movement, signaling the brain that you are moving when you are not, leading to dizziness.
Another inner ear condition, Meniere’s disease, is characterized by sudden episodes of vertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), and a feeling of fullness in the ear. This is believed to be caused by a buildup of fluid and changing pressure within the ear.
Vestibular neuritis or labyrinthitis is an inner ear problem usually related to infection (generally viral). It causes inflammation around the nerves that are crucial for your body’s sense of balance, leading to severe vertigo.
Central Nervous System Disorders
Vertigo can also be a symptom of central nervous system disorders. Migrainous vertigo is associated with migraine headaches, where the dizziness may precede, accompany, or follow the headache. In some cases, the dizziness can occur without a headache, known as a silent migraine.
Serious conditions like stroke or transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) can cause vertigo if blood flow to the brain is impaired. Multiple sclerosis, which affects the central nervous system, can also lead to vertigo if the areas controlling balance are impacted.
Head or Neck Injury
Trauma to the head or neck can cause vertigo. Whiplash, a common injury from car accidents, can lead to vertigo if the cervical spine is affected. Similarly, head injuries that impact the brain or inner ear can also result in vertigo.
Other Causes
Vertigo can also arise from other less common causes. For example, vestibular migraine is a type of migraine that doesn’t always involve a headache but causes vertigo and other symptoms like nausea and sensitivity to light and sound.
Medications like certain antibiotics, anti-seizure drugs, and even aspirin at high doses can cause damage to the inner ear, resulting in vertigo. Similarly, a reduction in blood flow to the base of the brain (vertebrobasilar insufficiency) can cause vertigo.
When to Seek Medical Help
While vertigo can be a benign condition, it’s essential to seek medical attention if you experience severe dizziness accompanied by other symptoms like double vision, difficulty speaking, or weakness. These could be signs of a more serious underlying condition that requires immediate attention.
For more detailed information about vertigo and its causes, visit the What Causes website.
For comprehensive details on the various types of vertigo and treatment options, consider exploring resources from established authorities like Mayo Clinic.
Leave a Reply