What exactly is vertigo? The precise definition of vertigo is an illusion of motion. But in common parlance, it refers not just to illusions of motions but chronic or intermittent sensation of loss of balance. What are common causes of vertigo? There are a large number of causes of vertigo, but it is commonly caused by cold viruses, head trauma, or Menieres disease. Those are the most common causes. What do these conditions do to cause this problem? These are all conditions that affect the inner ear. The inner ear is responsible for our sense of balance and also our sense of position in space. When the inner ear dysfunctions, we lose our sense of balance and frequently suffer symptoms such as vertigo, nausea, vomiting, and loss of balance. How can this be treated and whom should one see for treatment? Most causes of vertigo are readily treatable with physical therapy, medication, surgery, and time. By time, I mean, waiting because many causes of vertigo resolve spontaneously. Because of the many causes of vertigo, the critical issue in choosing a physician is their experience with vertigo. There are two types of physicians whose specialties include dizziness: neurologists and otolaryngologists. If one has a chronic form of vertigo, one should see either an otoneurologist, a neurologist who specializes in dizzyness, or a neurotologist who is an otolaryngologist who specializes in ear disease. Since many types of vertigo go away without treatment, initial evaluation by a general practitioner or family doctor is appropriate early on, reserving specialty care for chronic cases.
Posted on: Thu, 20 Mar 2014 12:15:51 +0000
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