health

Vertigo is different from other forms of dizziness because it is caused by
disturbances in the structures that control the sense of balance. These
structures include the vestibule and semicircular canals in the ear, the
vestibular (ves-TIB-u-lar) nuclei in the brain stem*, and the eyes. There
are many different kinds of vertigo.

Benign paroxysmal vertigo of childhood Benign* paroxysmal
(par-ok-SIZ-mal) vertigo is a condition that sometimes affects toddlers,
who may suddenly lose their balance, roll their eyes, and become pale,
dizzy, or nauseated for a few minutes. They usually recover quickly and
often outgrow this form of vertigo.


Positional vertigo Positional vertigo may occur following changes
in head position, especially when lying on one ear or when tipping back
the head to look up. The symptoms tend to appear in clusters that last for
several days. The vertigo begins several seconds after head movement and
usually stops in under a minute. Some of the causes of positional vertigo
are trauma to the ear, an ear infection, ear surgery, or degeneration due
to aging inner ear organs that are involved in balance. Surgery can sometimes
correct positional vertigo.


Ménière’s disease Sometimes called Ménière’s syndrome or recurrent
aural vertigo, Ménière’s disease is caused by damage to the balance
organs in the ears, although doctors often do not know the cause of the
damage. In addition to vertigo, symptoms are likely to include tinnitus
(ti-NY-tis), which is a ringing, buzzing, or roaring in the ears. It may also
cause gradual deafness in the affected ear. Ménière’s disease can be controlled
with medication, but it cannot be cured.


Labyrinthitis Labyrinthitis (lab-i-rin-THY-tis) is an inflammation of
the labyrinth in the inner ear, possibly as a result of viral infection in the
upper respiratory tract. The labyrinth is a group of canals in the inner ear
that is important for balance. Symptoms of labyrinthitis are sudden onset
of severe vertigo lasting for several days, hearing loss, and tinnitus in the
affected ear. During the recovery period, which may last several weeks,
rapid head movement causes temporary vertigo.


Vestibular neuronitis Vestibular neuronitis (noo-ro-NY-tis) is sometimes
called epidemic vertigo and is thought to be the result of a virus that
causes inflammation of the vestibular nerve cells. Vestibular neuronitis
usually causes a single attack of severe vertigo with nausea and vomiting
that lasts for a few days. There is no hearing loss or tinnitus, and doctors
often prescribe medication to help with the dizziness and nausea.


Traumatic vertigo Traumatic vertigo is one of the most common
types of vertigo. It usually follows a head injury. The symptoms generally
start to improve within several days but may last for weeks. Deafness
often accompanies the vertigo on the side of the head that received the
trauma. In some cases, surgery may be required to correct damage to the
ear structures.


Acoustic neuromas Acoustic neuromas are benign tumors that
form in the vestibular nerve, affecting nerve signals for balance and
hearing from the ear to the brain. Symptoms are hearing loss, tinnitus,
dizziness, and unsteadiness. Surgery to remove the tumor improves the
vertigo.