Vertigo
Vertigo attacks cause dizziness and last for a couple of minutes.
In some instances, episodes can last for hours or even days; with attacks happening periodically.
Vertigo refers to a false sense of motion. It is a sudden sensation that makes you feel like you are spinning, or that the room you're in is spinning around you. Vertigo is often caused by an underlying issue with your inner ear.
Vertigo can be diagnosed and treated by a physical therapist - usually within 1-3 visits. Physical Therapists recommend seeking treatment immediately upon experiencing symptoms.
Vertigo, like most conditions, has a fast recovery process as long as it is detected early.
Types of Vertigo
There are two types of vertigo: peripheral and central.
Peripheral vertigo accounts for the majority of cases and is often the result of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).
The remaining 20% of cases are central vertigo, which results from lesions on the brain stem or another issue affecting the brain.
Both multiple sclerosis (MS) and migraines can cause central vertigo.
What is BPPV?
BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo) occurs when calcium carbonate crystals in the ear, known as canaliths, come loose and move into one of the fluid-filled canals.
It is the most common cause of peripheral vertigo.
These crystals interfere with the normal movement of fluid in the canals. The purpose of the fluid is to sense movement and disturbances cause it to send false signals to the brain. This tricks the brain into thinking that a person is moving, even if they are not. The false signal contradicts what the other ear senses and what the eyes are seeing. This conflicting information causes a spinning sensation, known as vertigo.
Causes of Vertigo
Vertigo is considered a symptom, not a condition. Vertigo is most commonly associated with ear infections like Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), Meniere’s disease, blunt trauma and vestibular neuritis. While these diseases are different, they affect the ear in a similar way. They throw off the brain’s sense of balance.
Vertigo can also occur alongside or lead to other symptoms, such as balance issues, nausea, and motion sickness.
Vertigo Treatment
Experts tell us that 30% of people will experience vertigo at least once in their lifetime and that vertigo is a treatable condition. Most of the time, vertigo can be diagnosed and treated by a physical therapist within a few sessions. Physical Therapists recommend seeking treatment immediately upon feeling sympotoms, as the earlier it is detected the quicker it can be treated.
Home Remedies
If you're experiencing a vertigo attack, the best thing to do is lie down in a quiet, dark room, close your eyes, and take deep breaths. This may help ease any nausea symptoms and reduce the sensation of spinning.
Home Exercises
Some exercises for vertigo may be easy for people to do at home. However, it is important to determine the cause of vertigo before beginning any therapy to treat the symptoms.
You should also follow all exercise recommendations from your doctor or therapist. They can explain each exercise in more detail and provide guidance on what to expect and when to stop.
Physical Therapy
A physical therapist can perform a thorough evaluation to determine what might be causing your vertigo; or what type of vestibular condition you might have.
The earlier your physical therapist can treat you, the faster they can relieve your symptoms.
Another concurrent symptom of vertigo can be gait imbalance. Gait refers to the pattern of limb movements when a person walks. Balance is the bodies' ability to maintain its center of gravity while staying upright.
Your physical therapist can perform a gait analysis, where they will look at your body movement, mechanics, and muscle activity to determine if you have any gait imbalances.
Physical therapy treatment might involve:
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balance exercises
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strength training
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movement and gait training
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stretches
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work that targets the soft tissues
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assistive devices
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changes to the home and workplace to improve convenience and safety
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techniques for preventing falls