Vertigo

Vertigo is closely related to dizziness but also involves the perception of actually seeing the room spin about you, similar to what happens when you spin around rapidly and then stop.  Vertigo is frequently accompanied by nausea and a loss of balance; it may pass quickly, or it may last for hours or even days.  It can be a disturbing condition which increases the risk of injury from falling and may, depending on severity, duration and frequency, prevent a person from performing their normal duties.  It is usually self-limiting, but may intermittently reappear over weeks or months.

Among the most common causes of the condition called vertigo is Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV).  Thousands of people, mainly elderly, are going untreated for BPPV because doctors are unaware of how to diagnose and treat it – despite a quick, simple diagnostic test and speedy treatment being available.  Treatment shows almost immediate results.

Labyrinthitis, in the most general terms, is a condition which causes irritation of tiny hair cells which project into fluid-filled canals (labyrinths) within the balance center in the inner ear.  Normal balance is, to a degree, controlled by movement of the fluid, in response to changes in body position.  Labyrinthitis is a condition where the hair cells become irritated or inflamed and discharge randomly, tricking the brain into thinking you are moving or spinning.

Causes and Development; Contributing Risk Factors

Vertigo may result from other vestibular (inner ear – balance center) disorders such as Meniere's disease or vestibular neuritis, or may be a symptom of a more serious illness such as a stroke or tumor.  Anyone with vertigo should be seen immediately by a doctor and avoid hazardous activities (such as driving, operating heavy machinery and climbing, etc.)  until one week after symptoms disappear.

BPPV is caused by calcium carbonate crystals (octonia) moving out of position into the semicircular canals in the inner ear.  As they float around, certain types of head movement will induce vertigo.  The misplaced crystals can easily be moved back into position, even by patients themselves.

Risk factors for labyrinthitis include recent viral illness, respiratory or ear infection, use of prescription or nonprescription drugs (especially aspirin), stress, fatigue, or a history of allergy, smoking or alcohol consumption.  The prompt treatment of respiratory infections and ear infections may help prevent labyrinthitis.

Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms of labyrinthitis can include dizziness, nausea and vomiting, loss of balance (especially falling toward the affected side), hearing loss in the affected ear (especially with bacterial labyrinthitis), ringing or other noises in the ears (tinnitus) and involuntary eye movements.

Diagnosis and Tests

The diagnosis of BPPV is determined by a clinical history, with a typical complaint of vertigo whenever the patient leans forward, arises from a supine (lying-down) position, or rolls over in bed.

The diagnosis is confirmed by a positive response on the Dix-Hallpike maneuver.  This maneuver is conducted while sitting on an examining table and begins with the patient's head being turned either to the right or to the left by about 45 degrees.  The patient is then moved rapidly from a sitting position onto their back with the head hanging off of the back of the examining table while the head continues to be in the same 45-degree position.  The patient is instructed to keep his or her eyes open so that the examiner can see eye movement during the entire procedure.  If BPPV is present, vertigo will begin after a period of 5 to 10 seconds and usually will last from 30 seconds to a minute.  Eye movements will occur and the patient will complain of dizziness.  After the signs and symptoms subside, the patient is returned to the sitting position.  The eye movement (nystagmus) may reverse in direction and the patient may again experience vertigo.  If a positive response occurs, the same maneuver is repeated.  The opposite ear is then tested in a similar fashion.  The offending ear is the one that is toward the floor when BPPV occurs during this maneuver.

Treatment and Prevention

The treatment for BPPV is called the Epley Maneuver or Canal Repositioning Maneuver.

Although labyrinthitis usually runs its course over a few weeks, symptoms may need treatment.  Recovery is usually spontaneous and hearing usually returns to normal.  The spread of inflammation to other ear areas or to the brain are rare.