WHAT IS VERTIGO?

Vertigo is the feeling of a sense that your environment is spinning. It is a form of dizziness. The cause of vertigo is related to problems in the inner ear or brain and can triggered by quick head movements. A viral or bacterial infection in the inner causes inflammation. Meniere’s disease, migraine headaches, tumors, multiple sclerosis, head trauma, neck injury, decreased blood flow to the brain, or complications from diabetes can all cause vertigo.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF VERTIGO?
Symptoms of vertigo include a sensation of disorientation or motion, which may be accompanied by nausea or vomiting, sweating, or abnormal eye movements. Other symptoms of vertigo may include hearing loss and a ringing sensation in the ears, visual disturbances, weakness, difficulty speaking, a decreased level of consciousness, and difficulty walking.
• Vertigo is diagnosed by a medical history and physical exam. CT scans, blood tests, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), andelectrocardiogram (ECG) may also be performed depending on the suspected cause.

WHAT IS THE MOST COMMON TYPE OF VERTIGO? HOW CAN VERTIGO BE TREATED?

A common inner ear problem is BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo) and can be successfully treated by a Vestibular Trained Physical Therapist. This problem occurs when particles of calcium that exist in one part of the inner ear are dislodged into one of three semi-circular canals. Symptoms are usually noticed with big head movements. A Physical Therapist can evaluate you for this problem and do a treatment called a particle re-positioning maneuver. You may also be instructed to do in-home exercises if the symptoms return. Saint Alphonsus Rehabilitation Services (STARS) have certified therapists that are trained in Balance and Vestibular. Our Balance and Vestibular therapists are located at our Liberty, Talus, Curtis, and Meridian Health Plaza locations.