Vertigo – A few common things to know

So unexpected, spinning head feel, often interpreted as dizziness. It can appear occasionally. When you bend down and get up, you may feel like whole world is revolving around you. If you put a step forward you may feel like you will fall down. When you suddenly get up from bed or chair, you experience the same thing. These are some of the common symptoms of vertigo which affects both old and young people. Yet this condition is most common in people aged 50 Plus. As you age your nerves will be more tired and that would be on reason.

Vertigo is not so common in kids. But it can appear hereditary in kids aged 14-15. But this condition is very rare.

What are its symptoms?

Even while our body is in static condition, the whole world around us appear to be moving. In simple words this condition is called vertigo. You may feel like everything around you including people and building are revolving. That time you can think like your body has lost balance or slowly it’s losing it.

70% of reasons of Vertigo are associated with ears and ear balance. It’s most common that those people suffering from vertigo have hearing issues too. You can feel like someone is blowing in your ears or bells are continuously ringing. This condition is called tinnitus.

Some people may feel like vomiting while experiencing vertigo. This is one of the most common symptoms. Some people may feel like their ears are filled with something or something like pressure in your ears. Headache is another common symptom.

Reasons behind vertigo

The ear is made up of three main parts: the outer ear, middle ear, and inner ear, of which inner ear is very close to brain. It’s from this point, many nerves from ears to brain start from. Any kind of change in this region quite different from normal can lead to vertigo. Infection, swelling, cancer – reasons are many. This condition is known as labyrinthine vertigo, because labyrinthitis if the nerve connecting ear and brain.

Viral fever can also cause vertigo. Infection can suddenly reach ears from throat. Ear, throat and nose (ENT) are mutually connected and hence if a simple problem happens to ears it can effect both nose and the throat. It’s the same case of other two areas too. As they are connected, an infection at any portion can easily affect the other two regions too. That’s the reason why ear infection can lead to vertigo.

Can vertigo happen as a side effect of medicinal drugs?

Yes, it’s possible especially in the case of epilepsy. Similarly drugs of depression, pain killers, some medicine given for diabetics and high blood pressure, sleeping pills, some medicines used in cancer treatment and also for surgery can become a reason for vertigo.

Lifestyle diseases and fainting

In Diabetic patients, if sugar content in blood goes slow, they can faint. Vertigo is associated with both high BP and low BP. In some cases, it can appear in heart patients too. Their heartbeat rate may increase along with vertigo. People with the hypertension, hypothyroidism etc are a few more. People may experience vertigo in different ways.

Vertigo can develop suddenly and last for a few seconds or much longer. In 70% cases, vertigo happens for a few minutes only. This is commonly called “Transient Vertigo”, while a few more terms are also for used for its definition. But chances are high it can occur many times a day. It can badly affect your daily activities. If the condition is worse, the patient has to lay down soon. Otherwise he may lose body balance and fall.

If vertigo happens as a side effect of drugs, it can sustain for a long time. This vertigo is called Chronic Vertigo. A few more terms are also used for defining this vertigo which can go for a prolonged period.

Can you keep vertigo in control?

If you take extra care, it’s possible you can keep vertigo in control. You should follow the instructions given by the doctor and also the medicines prescribed by him. You should visit doctor at regular intervals or as suggested by him. Some people have a habit to discontinue medicines and not to visit doctor soon after they find some relief. It’s the case when they don’t take this condition seriously. The instructed dose should be completed even after showing great improvement. Reduce the quantity of salt and sugar in your diet. You should take food at right time.

Can exercise help you anyway?

Practising Epley maneuver can improve your condition a lot. A series of head movements using this method can help relieve some types of vertigo. Lay straight in such a position where your head is upside down. Place pillow beneath shoulders in such a way that your head hangs down. In that position turn your head right 45 degrees and lay in their position for 45 seconds. Then do the same procedure for left side too. Then place the head in such a way that it appears like your head is going behind the pillow. Then count till 45 (just like you did in the first step). Now bring head towards the chest and keep it for 45 seconds (or count till 45).

Repeat the steps three times. You can do this exercise daily until your vertigo symptoms start diminishing. When you do this exercise along with the medicines you get fast results. If possible do this exercise for the first time under the guidance of your doctor.

If dizziness happens frequently

If dizziness appears frequently and it is too strong, accompanied by vomiting feel and loss of balance, you can suspect it to be vertigo. If so you should seek medical assistance. ECG, EEG of brain, CT scan, MRI, audiogram and checking body balance are some of the procedures done at first. In some cases, doctor to do tests to know the functioning of kidneys and liver.

Things to avoid in Vertigo

Most important thing is to take care of yourself when you feel like you will fall down. You need rest. You can take rest in a space with less light and sound. If vertigo occurs, never try to reach some place running or quickly walking. First step is to sit where you are, and not try to move.

Recollect the condition when vertigo occurred; for example, if it happened while tilting the head or standing up or bending down or looking up, try to do it slowly. If you are a senior citizen, you can use a walking stick to avoid falling. If you avoid pillow while sleeping it can lead it to dizziness or a feel of lost balance. If you have to go to washroom frequently at night, put on light and walk slowly.

If you are suffering from vertigo avoid long drives and swimming. If you climb a high building, a mountain, a hill etc there are high chances for this condition to occur. Avoid working with machines that can invite danger or risk. Avoid conduct of fire and water as much as possible.

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