6:27 p.m. - 2006-08-30
Vertigo
Vertigo
Vertigo is a symptom of a balance disorder. A person experiences a dizziness that feels as if the room is spinning while in reality the body is not moving. If the eyes are closed, the person will feel as if his of her body is moving. If they eyes are open, the person "sees" his or her surroundings spin. Although vertigo and dizziness are interchangeable, one does not always mean the other. Experiencing dizziness does not automatically mean vertigo.
Effects of Vertigo
The effects of vertigo may include nausea, vomiting, involuntary eye movement or, in severe cases, difficulty standing and walking. A person may experience vertigo for days or even weeks. Treatment for vertigo depends of the severity and diagnosis. A complete medical check up is recommended to determine if a person truly has vertigo and to start treatment.
Types of Vertigo
Problems with the vestibular system (inner ear) or with nerve connections between the inner ear and the brain are usually the cause of vertigo.
There are two classifications of vertigo:
Peripheral Vertigo occurs if there is a problem with the part of the inner ear that controls balance or with the nerve.
Central Vertigo occurs if there is an abnormality in the brain.
Vertigo is a form of dizziness often associated with balance disorder
By simple definition, vertigo is either the sensation of motion where there is no motion or an exaggerated sense of motion in response to a given bodily movement (Bertholon et al. 2002b). Although often reported simply as dizziness, vertigo can present itself in a variety of forms, including spinning, a sense of tumbling or falling forward or backward, or of the ground rolling beneath one's feet. At times, it may also be difficult to focus visually. Many patients find it uncomfortable to even keep their eyes open during the spells. Heart palpitations, sweating, nausea, and vomiting are also common factors accompanying the event (Kentala et al. 2000).
Far from a rare occurrence, vertigo in its varied forms affects millions of patients every year. While no age bracket is exempt from vertigo, research has shown that it is most commonly associated with persons over 50 years old (Uno et al. 2001). Further studies have indicated that the incidence of vertigo increases proportionally with age, accounting for upward of 61% of all cases of dizziness by age 65 (Oghalai et al. 2000). Of these cases, one of the most frequently cited syndromes is benign paroxysmal positioning vertigo.
Until next time, please clix me
geminis2
