VERTIGO

The word “vertigo” comes from the latin “vertere” is to turnand the suffix “-igo”, a condition of turning about.
Vertigo is a major symptom of a balance disorder. It is thesensation of spinning or swaying while the body is stationary with respect tothe earth or surroundings.


There are two types of vertigo :

• Subjective vertigo is when a person feels a false sensationof movement.
• Objective vertigo is when the surroundings will appear tomove past a person's field of vision.

The effects of vertigo may be slight. It can cause nauseaand vomiting and, if severe, may give rise to difficulty with standing andwalking.

Vertigo is usually associated with a problem in the innerear balance mechanisms ( vestibular system ), in the brain or with the nerve connectionsbetween these two organs. Vertigo can also be a symptom of an inner earinfection.

The most common cause of vertigo is benign paroxysmalpositional vertigo or BPPV. Vertigo can also be brought on suddenly throughvarious actions or incidents, such as sudden changes of blood pressure or as asymptom of motion sickness while sailing, riding amusement rides, airplanes orin a motor vehicle.
Vertigo is typically classified into one of two categoriesdepending on the location of the damaged vestibular pathway. These areperipheral or central vertigo. Each category has a distinct set ofcharacteristics and associated findings.

Diagnostic test for vertigo:

Tests of vestibular system ( balance ) function include :

• Electronystagmography ( ENG )
• Rotation tests
• Caloric reflex test
• Computerized Dynamic Posturography ( CDP )

Tests of auditory system ( hearing ) function include :

• Pure-tone audiometry
• Speech audiometry
• Acoustic-reflex
• Electrocochleography ( ECoG )
• Otoacoustic emissions ( OAE )
• Auditory brainstem response test ( ABR; also known as BER,BSER, or BAER )

Other diagnostic tests include :

• Magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI )
• Computerized axial tomography ( CAT or CT )

Treatment is specific for underlyingdisorder of vertigo include :

• Vestibular rehabilitation
• Physical therapy with Manual Therapy especially MyoFascialRelease and CranioSacral Therapy
• Anticholinergics
• Antihistamines
• Benzodiazepines
• Calcium channel antagonists, specifically Verapamil andNimodipine
• GABA modulators, specifically Gabapentin and Baclofen
• Neurotransmitter reuptake inhibitors such as SSRI΄s, SNRI΄sand Tricyclics

Posted in: health,vertigo