All About Peripheral Vertigo

Vertigo is the sensation of falling, spinning, twirling, whirling, or jolting, while you and your environment are actually remaining steady. Peripheral vertigo is vertigo caused by a problem with the part of the inner ear that effects your sense of balance. It can also be caused by a problem with the connection between the inner ear and the brain stem.

There can be any number of causes behind peripheral vertigo. The cause behind your vertigo plays a large part in what type of treatment is available. If your vertigo is caused by a simple inner ear infection, as is common, it can be treated with antibiotics. Certain prescription, over the counter, or street drugs may also effect the inner ear. Any damage to the inner ear can cause vertigo to occur, because the inner ear controls our sense of balance.

Benign positional vertigo is one type of peripheral vertigo. Your inner ear has tiny particles of calcium that, when moved against the small hairs of your inner ear, communicate to the brain what position you are in. Positional vertigo occurs when there is a build up or break down of these calcium particles. When the head moves in a certain way, the ear with the build up of calcium communicates one thing, while the other ear communicates another. The brain then, receiving mixed messages, becomes confused about the position of the body, and thus vertigo occurs. Positional vertigo is typically treated with exercises involving head movement.

Menieres disease is another cause of peripheral vertigo. Menieres disease is an inner ear disorder that affects balance and hearing ability. The actual cause of the condition is unknown, but it has something to do with a fluid imbalance in the inner ear. The most common and severe symptom of the condition is vertigo, which can border on more severe symptoms such as nausea and vomiting.

Labrynthitis is another cause of peripheral vertigo. This condition is usually the side effect of a viral or bacterial inner ear or respiratory infection. The actual cause of the condition is unknown, although vertigo seems to be the main symptom. Hearing loss and tinnitus (ringing of the ears) are other symptoms of this condition. An antibiotic may be prescribed as treatment if an infection is present. Other treatments are for the symptoms only, not a cure for the condition.

Because there are so many possible causes for peripheral vertigo, it is important to report any feelings of vertigo to your doctor immediately. This will allow your doctor to run various tests that will help to determine the cause of your peripheral vertigo, and begin appropriate treatment.