About Medical Vertigo

Medical vertigo is the feeling that you or your environment are spinning, twirling, or falling, while in fact you and your environment are quite still. Vertigo may be accompanied by other symptoms as well, such as dizziness, imbalance, and nausea. At times, medical vertigo is simply the result of a calcium buildup in the balance tubes of the inner ear, or a minor head injury. At other times, however, it may be a symptom of other medical conditions.

Inner ear problems are often the cause of medical vertigo. Labrynthitis is the inflammation of the inner ear. While typically associated with hearing loss, a common symptom of this medical condition is medical vertigo. Meniere disease is another inner ear medical condition that involves hearing loss, vertigo, and tinnitus (ringing in the ears).

Neurological problems may also cause medical vertigo. A particular brain tumor, called an acoustic neuroma, is accompanied by hearing loss, ringing in the ears, and severe vertigo. Another neurological medical condition that causes vertigo is the decrease of blood flow to the brain, which can also cause headaches and imbalance. Multiple sclerosis is also often accompanied by vertigo. A serious of small strokes, or a large stroke, can also cause feelings of vertigo and imbalance. Slurred speech and weakened arms or legs are other symptoms that may point to a stroke as the cause of your medical vertigo.

Because medical vertigo is a symptom rather than a condition of its own, it is vitally important to contact your personal physician at the onset of vertigo. Testing may be required to determine the cause of the vertigo. Without a proper diagnosis, treatment and recovery are impossible. However, with the proper diagnosis and testing, the proper treatment may be applied, and success is typically very high.

With most inner ear problems causing vertigo, simple head movement exercises can be performed to reduce the effects of the vertigo. Neurological medical conditions may require prescription medications. Severe cases of neurological medical conditions may require surgery in order to relieve the symptoms of medical vertigo, as well as other symptoms that may be occurring with the patient.

Most cases of medical vertigo are quite harmless and benign, but some cases can be quite serious indication of severe medical conditions or diseases. If you experience double vision, weakness, difficulty speaking or walking, or headaches with your vertigo, you should seek the care of a medical provider immediately.