Dizziness And Vertigo Specialist

What is Vertigo?

Vertigo is not considered to be a medical condition. Instead, it is a symptom of another condition that is disrupting the delicate balance within the organs of the inner ear or a disturbance in the nerve pathways that lead to and from the brain. Vertigo is similar to dizziness but is characterized by a spinning sensation. Dizziness and lightheadedness are not as severe or profound as vertigo. Vertigo can cause a person to become disoriented and disrupt a person's balance to the point where they have difficulty remaining upright. The spinning sensation that is often associated with vertigo will sometimes be made worse by lying down.

What Causes Dizziness?

Dizziness can be caused by many different things. Consuming too much alcohol or an infection that settles deep in the inner ear can cause a disruption that causes a person to be dizzy. If the problem is caused by a virus or bacteria, the dizziness will be short-lived and only last a few days. If the dizziness is the result of vertigo or benign positional vertigo, it will not go away on its own. A person who is hit on the head may also be dizzy due to the disruptions of the nerve pathways near the injury to the brain. This type of dizziness will normally remain until the inflammation goes away and the injury begins to heal.

How is Vertigo Treated?

Vertigo will normally go away by itself. Because it is normally caused by an infection or some degree of inflammation in the inner ear or along the nerve pathways to the brain, antibiotics may be able to address the cause and allow the dizziness to dissipate on its own. Vestibular rehabilitation is an effective way of treating vertigo. This involves retraining how the brain perceives certain movements of the head and neck. This type of training does not cure for vertigo but instead, teaches the organs of the body to compensate for the malfunctions within the vestibular system.