vertiigo

Vertigo is a sensation of dizziness or spinning, often described as feeling like the world is moving or tilting when it is not. It is not a disease itself but rather a symptom of an underlying condition. The sensation can range from mild and fleeting to severe and debilitating, significantly impacting a person's ability to perform daily activities.

The most common causes of vertigo are related to problems in the inner ear, which plays a crucial role in balance. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is one such condition, where specific head movements trigger brief, intense episodes of dizziness. Labyrinthitis and vestibular neuritis are other inner ear disorders, often caused by viral infections, that can lead to vertigo, along with hearing changes or tinnitus. Meniere's disease, a chronic inner ear disorder, is characterized by recurring episodes of vertigo, fluctuating hearing loss, tinnitus, and a feeling of fullness in the ear.

Less commonly, vertigo can be a symptom of neurological issues, such as migraines, head injuries, stroke, or tumors affecting the brain's balance pathways. Certain medications can also induce vertigo as a side effect.

Diagnosis typically involves a medical history, physical examination, and specific tests to assess balance and eye movements. Treatment depends on the underlying cause and may include repositioning maneuvers for BPPV, medications to manage nausea and dizziness, vestibular rehabilitation therapy to retrain the brain's balance system, or addressing the root cause if it is neurological or related to medication.