Most Common Cause of Vertigo

What is Vertigo?

Vertigo is when you feel like you are spinning or moving with changes in position or head movement.  There are many causes of vertigo but the top few are:

  1. BPPV,
  2. Labyrinthitis
  3. Vestibular neuritis,
  4. Vestibular Migraine’s
  5. Meninere’s Disease.

What is the most Common Cause of Vertigo?

According to the Mayo Clinic, Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) is the most common cause of vertigo.  BPPV is the sensation of feeling as if you are spinning with changes in position, eye movement, or head motion. The spinning resolves in 1 to 2 min.  For example, when you lay down to go to sleep you feel like you are spinning for a few minutes and then it stops.

What is the cause of BPPV?

The cause of BPPV is the displacement of the otolith; which are stone like structures that sit within the hairs of the inner ear. With normal stone position- when the body changes position, accelerates, or decelerates the stones move the hairs in the inner ear. The hair movement then sends a signal to the brain reporting the direction of movement.  When the otolith are displaced – a false signal of movement is sent to the brain, but the eyes tell the brain that the body is stationary. This results in conflicting signals being transmitted and the brain becomes confused. The brain is unable to interpret where the body is in space and this results in a spinning sensation.

What factors contribute to the otolith becoming displaced?

Consider BPPV if you have experienced any of the following:

  1. Hitting head due to fall or other means
  2. Antibiotic use
  3. Aging

What is the treatment for BPPV?

A physical Therapist can perform an evaluation to determine what may be causing your Vertigo. For vertigo due to BPPV, a simple procedure can be performed to eliminate the spinning. If your symptoms are not due to BPPV, then a more extensive examination will be required by an Ear Nose and Throat Doctor.

If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of vertigo, contact a physical therapist or an ENT today. At Lifestyle Physical Therapy,  Our physical therapist are ready to help you stop the spinning and get back to your active Lifestyle. Call or text 803-831-1454 to set up and appointment.

You can learn more about vertigo, symptoms, and causes at www.mayoclinic.org

This Article is intended for education Purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or provide guidelines for treatment. Consult a physical therapist and a physician to determine the cause of your dizziness or spinning.