Many people think that a persistent headache or dizziness is as simple as it is. They often attribute these symptoms to hunger, stress, temperature, and many other factors. However, what they don’t realize is that symptoms that don’t go away can mean something’s wrong with their entire system. Your body might be dealing with a problem that is more serious than a simple headache or a migraine. You might have vertigo.
An experienced ENT doctor in Denver notes that frequent dizziness is among the most common complaints they receive from their patients. In some cases, dizziness is a warning sign for problems in the inner ear, and even parts of the brain concerned with hearing and balance functions. This shows that the problem is more complicated than you might think. It can involve complex body systems and affect not just your balance, but also your mood, work, and personal relationships.
Vertigo may be an unfamiliar medical terminology to you. This is an opportunity to understand it better.
Different types of vertigo
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a common type of vertigo. The presence of certain structures affecting the hair cells results in confusing signals. You will experience sudden severe dizziness that goes away as soon as it comes. Specific exercises can displace the structures and remove the symptoms. Ask your doctor about those types of exercises and follow the instructions carefully.
Another common type of vertigo is Meniere’s disease. The symptoms are episodic and present as a sense of fullness in the ear, ringing, and severe vertigo. The main cause is the presence of extra fluid in the inner ear. Meanwhile, labyrinthitis involves severe inflammation, which can be corrected by medication. Acoustic neuroma is less common than the previously mentioned types of vertigo. A benign tumor of the acoustic nerve may cause vertigo and hearing loss.
Diagnosis of vertigo
You might already have vertigo, but you’re not aware of it. It is, therefore, important to be watchful and mindful of the things your body is trying to tell you. You must not dismiss repeated episodes of dizziness and think that it’s is only due to fatigue, hunger, or lack of sleep. You may already be suffering from a certain type of vertigo. An ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor can diagnose vertigo based on the symptoms.
Diagnostic tests, such as Head Impulse Test, Romberg Test, and Fukuda-Unterberger Test, provide doctors with useful information about the functional capacity of your inner ear and whether your body’s postural and balance mechanisms are intact. These tests require you to perform specific movements of the head in a standing position with your eyes are open and closed.
The doctor may recommend other tests, including Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potential (VEMP) Electronystagmography (ENG) or Videonystagmography (VNG), and Posturography. Hearing Tests may be indicated, as well as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) or a CT scan. Once diagnosed, your doctor may prescribe certain medications and exercises that will help relieve the symptoms or treat the disorder.
Vertigo symptoms may be disabling, especially if a person’s daily activities are interrupted by periodic attacks. Do not hesitate to consult an ENT doctor to get the immediate medical attention you need.
