Is Vertigo Permanent? Vertigo Causes, Symptoms, And Treatments

Struggling To Keep Your Balance?

Vertigo is a type of dizziness that can cause a feeling of spinning or swaying. It can be caused by different things, including inner ear problems, blood pressure or heart rate changes, or even anxiety.

While vertigo can be annoying and uncomfortable, it’s usually not serious.

There are two types of vertigo: peripheral and central. Peripheral vertigo stems from an issue in the ear or vestibular system, which controls balance, while central vertigo is caused by an issue in the brain, such as a stroke or a tumor.

Vertigo can last for a few seconds, minutes, hours, or days. In some cases, it may come and go over time.

Peripheral Vertigo

Peripheral vertigo is caused by problems in the inner ear or vestibular nerve. This type of vertigo is usually accompanied by nausea and vomiting.

Common causes include labyrinthitis and vestibular neuritis. Treatment typically involves vestibular rehabilitation exercises and medications to relieve symptoms.

Central Vertigo

Central vertigo causes symptoms in parts of the brain, such as the cerebellum and brainstem.

Vertigo is caused mainly by headaches and is often associated with brain tumors. If your GP thinks your central occlusion might indicate an underlying problem, they can order a diagnostic scan.

Causes of Vertigo

Many different things can cause vertigo. Some common causes include:

-Inner ear problems, such as Meniere’s disease, vestibular neuritis, inner ear infection, or Labyrinthitis

-Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), which is caused by changes in head position

-Migraines

-Stroke

-Transient ischemic attack (TIA)

-Tumor

-Multiple sclerosis

-Head injury

-Neck injury

Vertigo often occurs as a result of internal ear problems. One common cause of vertigo is BPPV or benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

BPPV happens when the particles of tiny calcium deposits are removed from their regular positions and accumulate within the inner ear.

The inner ear communicates with the brain about the movement of the head relative to gravity. It keeps the equilibrium in place.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, or BPPV, has no apparent cause and could also have an age-associated effect called Meniere's.

It is often associated with a buildup of fluid within the inner ear. It causes symptoms of vertigo with ringing in the eardrums (tinnitus) and recurrent auditory problems.

Vertigo Symptoms

The main symptom of vertigo is the feeling that you or your surroundings are moving when they’re not. This sensation can be mild, moderate, or severe.

Other symptoms may include:

-Nausea

-Vomiting

-Sweating

-Severe headache

-Anxiety

-Fatigue

-Motion sickness

Treatments for Vertigo

The treatment for vertigo will depend on the underlying cause. For example, vestibular rehabilitation exercises, such as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), may be recommended if an inner ear disorder causes dizziness.

These exercises help retrain the brain to process information from the inner ear more effectively.

Vertigo treatment is dependent on your condition. The doctor may recommend taking medications.

It's a good idea to stay away from stressful situations because anxiety can cause vertigo symptoms to worsen. Find some helpful tips and strategies for stress relief.

If migraines cause vertigo, treatment may include medications to prevent or relieve migraines.

These medications may include:

-Antidepressants

-Anti-seizure drugs

-Beta-blockers

In some cases, surgery may be needed to treat the underlying cause of vertigo. For example, if a tumor causes vertigo, surgery may be necessary to remove the tumor.

Vertigo can be debilitating, but treatments are available to help relieve symptoms and improve quality of life. If you think you may be experiencing vertigo, talk to your doctor to get a proper diagnosis and treatment plan OR:

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Vestibular Rehabilitation

This is a type of therapy that can help people with vertigo. This therapy aims to help the brain learn to process information from the vestibular system more effectively.

This therapy often treats inner ear problems, such as BPPV, that cause vertigo.

The treatment may include:

-Balance exercises

-Gaze stabilization exercises

-Habituation exercises

Balance exercises help train your brain to control your body’s movement better. These exercises may involve standing on one leg or walking in a line.

Gaze stabilization exercises help train your eyes to stay still when you move your head. These exercises may involve looking at an object and moving your head from side to side.

Habituation exercises help reduce the symptoms of vertigo by exposing you to the things that trigger your symptoms, such as moving your head, motion sickness, or being in a crowded place.

These exercises are usually done in a gradual and controlled manner. Your doctor or physical therapist will work with you to create a personalized rehabilitation program.

This program will be based on your individual needs and goals.

Vestibular rehabilitation is a safe and effective treatment for vertigo. However, following your therapy program as prescribed by your doctor or physical therapist is essential.

Doing too much too soon may worsen your symptoms. Audiologists or physiotherapists are available for VRT therapy.

Vestibular Neuronitis

Vestibular neuropathy or vestibular neuritis occurs by inflaming or damaging the vestibular nerve.

The symptoms usually result from viral infections, and vertigo episodes generally improve in just one week of treatment.

It can be difficult to sleep if you feel any severe symptoms. See your doctor when your symptoms worsen or other symptoms appear.

Vestibular neuronitis may require rehabilitation and medications to help.

The Epley Manoeuvre

This maneuver is performed with four distinct head movements, which move pieces of calcium that cause vertigo to a location where they don't cause symptoms again. The positions of the head are held for about 20 minutes.

Your pain and symptoms should improve within two days from Epley's maneuver. If your symptoms are not improving in 4 weeks please contact your GP.

Epley maneuvers are not often a cure and can be repeated.

Brandt-Daroff Exercises

If Epley is not practical or you have a neck/back problem, you should also try Brand-Daroff exercises. These exercises are done twice a day for two weeks.

This therapy aims to help the brain learn to process information from the vestibular system more effectively.

These exercises often involve:

-Sitting up from lying down

-Lying down from sitting up

-Turning your head from side to side

-Doing all of these movements slowly and controlled manner

Migraine Treatment Options

There are various types of medications used in the treatment of migraines, including:

-Pain relievers

-Anti-nausea medications

-Triptans

-Ergotamines

-Dopamine antagonists

Your doctor will likely prescribe a pain reliever for you to take at the first sign of a migraine. These medications include over-the-counter drugs such as ibuprofen and aspirin.

Anti-nausea medications can help relieve nausea and vomiting that often accompanies migraines.

Labyrinthitis

Labyrinthitis occurs when inner ear bacteria in your ear become inflamed. It can often cause viral infection but will clear up without treatment.

Sometimes labyrinthitis occurs due to an infection with bacteria, and antibiotics are prescribed.

If you have hearing issues, your GP may refer you to your doctor for a hearing evaluation. This doctor specializes in hearing disorders to prevent or improve hearing loss.

Meniere’s Disease

Meniere's disease is a disorder of the inner ear that can cause vertigo, tinnitus, and hearing loss. The exact cause of Meniere's disease is unknown, but it may be due to an increase in fluid in the ear.

There is no cure for Meniere's disease, but treatments can help relieve symptoms.

Treatments for Meniere's disease include:

-Diuretics to reduce fluid retention

-Steroids to reduce inflammation

-Antihistamines to dry up excess fluid

-Surgery to remove the excess fluid or repair the damaged ear structure

Your doctor will likely recommend a low-salt diet and avoiding caffeine and alcohol to help reduce fluid retention.

You may also need to take diuretics (water pills) to help your body get rid of excess fluid.

Medicines

Medication is often used for treating symptoms such as severe vertigo caused by neuromuscular edema in vestibular cells.

In addition, the drug is commonly prescribed to help with central vertigo of unknown cause. These drugs usually have an average duration of between 2 and 14 hours, depending on the drug's condition.

Referral To A Specialist

If your GP is unsure of the cause of your vertigo episodes, they may refer you to a specialist. These specialists include:

-Ear, nose, and throat doctor (ENT)

An ENT can check for problems in your ear that might be causing vertigo.

-Neurologist

A neurologist can check for problems in your brain or nervous system that might be causing vertigo.

-Physical therapist

A physical therapist can help you with exercises to reduce vertigo symptoms.

Treating The Underlying Cause

Once the underlying cause of vertigo has been treated, dizziness will likely go away. If you have Meniere's disease, you may need lifelong treatment to manage symptoms. If you have labyrinthitis, your vertigo should go away within a few weeks.

You may need to take some precautions during this time, such as:

-Avoiding sudden head and body movements

-Sleeping on your back

-Eating a balanced diet

-Exercising regularly

-Reducing stress

If you have migraines or central vertigo, you will likely need to take medication to prevent future attacks. You can also help reduce the frequency and severity of migraines by:

-Avoiding triggers, such as bright lights, loud noises, and strong smells

-Getting regular exercise

-Managing stress with relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation

-Eating a healthy diet

-Getting enough sleep

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Does Vertigo Last?

The duration of vertigo can vary depending on the underlying cause. For example, vestibular neuritis typically lasts for a few days to a week, while Ménière's disease can cause symptoms that come and go over time.

In general, vertigo should improve with time and treatment. If you have persistent dizziness that is not improving, you should see your doctor to rule out any serious underlying causes.

Can vertigo cause hearing loss?

Yes, vertigo can cause hearing loss. This is because the inner ear is responsible for both balance and hearing. Hearing loss associated with dizziness is usually temporary, but in some cases, it can be permanent.

If you have vertigo and are concerned about hearing loss, you should see your doctor. They can perform a hearing test to check for any damage to your ears.

Can a head or neck injury cause vertigo?

Yes, a neck or head injury can cause vertigo. This is because the inner ear is responsible for balance, and a neck or head injury can damage the inner ear. Vertigo caused by a head or neck injury is usually temporary, but in some cases, it can be permanent.

Conclusion

Vertigo is a common condition that many different underlying conditions can cause. In most cases, vertigo will improve with time and treatment.

If you have persistent dizziness, see your doctor to rule out any serious causes.