The illusory rotation of space or even of the person himself, the precariousness of gait and instability - all these signs are combined under one name - “vertigo syndrome”. An example of this condition is dizziness that occurs after riding on a swing, when, due to sudden stops, a vision of the surrounding reality appears relative to itself. What is it due to? Can its development be prevented? You can find answers to these and other questions by reading this article.
general information
Vertigo is a loss of balance, accompanied by a sensation of rotation of the body around objects nearby or objects around itself. This condition is distinguished by a complex etiology. In the human body there are two organs of equilibrium - labyrinths, localized in each ear and sending information to the centers of equilibrium, which are located in the brain. The incoming data is very important for maintaining coordination. If one of the two labyrinths becomes irritated or its primary function weakens, an imbalance of signals occurs. A person has dizziness, an insecure gait, which is often accompanied by nausea or even vomiting.
Vertigo is the second most common symptom that is most often consulted by a doctor. Note that the first place belongs to headaches and back pains. This pathology, especially in the elderly, is very difficult to diagnose. The thing is that elderly patients present vertigo as a dominant symptom of other diseases, for example, cardiovascular ailments.
Medical causes of vertigo
- Auditory neuroma. This is a benign neoplasm that causes coordination problems. Sometimes weakness or paralysis of the facial muscles, even tinnitus, may appear.
- Benign positional vertigo. This is a fairly common problem, characterized by dizziness after a change in body position. Lasts no more than two minutes.
- Cerebral ischemia. This condition, as a rule, occurs suddenly, accompanied by severe dizziness, vomiting and increased blood pressure.
- Shingles.
- Meniere's disease. During dizziness attacks, which can sometimes last several days, nausea and vomiting are also observed.
- Seasickness.
- Multiple sclerosis. Occasional misalignment in space may be an early sign of vertigo. In addition, patients note double vision, a violation of habitual sensitivity, paralysis, trembling limbs.
- Vestibular neuritis.
Other causes of vertigo
- Acceptance of certain groups of drugs (hormonal contraceptives, salicylates, aminoglycoside antibiotics, etc.).
- Diagnostic procedures. For example, a caloric test (injecting warm / cold water into the ear) can cause dizziness.
- Surgical intervention.
Peripheral vertigo
This is a fairly serious pathology, characterized by an acute onset and severe symptoms. This condition is accompanied by hearing impairment, severe sweating, vomiting, lowering blood pressure, heart palpitations.
In the case of peripheral vertigo, the doctor, in addition to prescribing drug therapy to improve the general condition, must also send the patient for additional consultation with the otolaryngologist. It is this specialist who is engaged in the diagnosis of pathology and the identification of its causes.
Central vertigo
What is this ailment? It is characterized by a gradual onset and less pronounced clinical signs. In this case, hearing impairment does not occur, and vegetative symptoms do not appear in all patients. After the appointment of treatment, the improvement is also slow.
Today, many experts distinguish vertigo of a psychogenic nature. This means that pathology is manifested in neurosis, frequent stress and constant anxiety. In this kind of situation, additional consultation with a neurologist is required.
Diagnostics
Currently, there are a large number of factors affecting the occurrence of dizziness. Of course, this creates some difficulties during the diagnosis. With frequent dizziness, doctors strongly recommend trying to independently analyze their nature (the presence of concomitant symptoms, under what conditions exactly such a condition occurs). These data will allow the doctor to diagnose as correctly as possible, not to prescribe additional procedures.
During the collection of an anamnesis, the specialist, as a rule, clarifies the nature of vertigo. What does it mean? For example, dizziness with a deterioration in the quality of hearing indicates problems of peripheral origin, and when combined with impaired sensitivity of the limbs, to the central system.
To confirm the final diagnosis, as a rule, the following procedures are used:
- MRI of the brain.
- BP measurement.
- Neurologist examination.
- Blood analysis.
- X-ray of the cervical spine.
- ECG.
- Carrying out tonal audiometry.
What should be the therapy?
The ideal treatment for this pathology is the elimination of a specific cause, which provoked the appearance of symptoms. However, this requires a number of diagnostic studies, which are far from always effective. The generally accepted rule for the treatment of such pathologies is the prescription of such drugs, the action of which is aimed at improving the patient’s current condition, his emotional background, and reducing the manifestation of dizziness (Betagistin, Cinnarizine preparations).
In addition, tools are used to improve blood circulation in the vessels of the brain, the violation of which often accompanies vertigo. Treatment of systemic dizziness involves taking antihistamines (Promethazine, Meclosin).
On the positive side, special rehabilitation exercises have proven themselves to develop strength, coordination and balance. In especially serious cases of the peripheral variant of the pathology, surgical intervention is indicated in the area of the inner ear itself (endolymph drainage, operations on the auditory nerve, etc.).
All patients, without exception, are recommended a special diet that allows you to remove excess fluid from the body. You should limit the consumption of coffee and tea, chocolate, alcohol, salty foods.
Possible complications
Why is vertigo dangerous? As practice shows, in the absence of timely and qualified treatment, this pathology can entail quite serious restrictions. Dizziness often provokes falls, fraught with injuries. In addition, the risk of accidents increases if an attack occurs while driving a car. In the distant stage, vertigo entails the development of a depressive state, a way out of which requires more serious intervention, qualified assistance from doctors and relatives.
Conclusion
In this article we told what “vertigo” means, what are the main reasons for the development of this pathology and modern methods of treatment. According to experts, an immediate appeal for help allows not only to stop the further progression of the disease, but also to avoid very unpleasant consequences. Be healthy!