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Vertigo Treatment
Regaining Balance and Stability
At Aktif International Hospitals, we understand the disruptive impact that vertigo can have on your daily life. That’s why we offer comprehensive vertigo treatment options to help you regain your balance, reduce dizziness, and improve your overall quality of life. Our team of experienced specialists is committed to providing personalized care tailored to your unique needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Vertigo?
Vertigo is a sensation of spinning or dizziness that can make you feel as though you or your surroundings are moving or spinning, even when you’re perfectly still. It is often associated with a feeling of imbalance or unsteadiness and can be triggered by changes in head position or movement.
What Causes Vertigo?
Vertigo can be caused by various underlying conditions or factors, including:
- Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): This is the most common cause of vertigo and occurs when small calcium crystals in the inner ear become dislodged and disrupt the normal fluid movement, leading to brief episodes of vertigo triggered by changes in head position.
- Meniere’s Disease: This inner ear disorder is characterized by fluid buildup in the inner ear, resulting in episodes of vertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), and a sensation of fullness or pressure in the affected ear.
- Vestibular Migraine: Some individuals experience vertigo as a symptom of migraines, which can also be accompanied by headache, sensitivity to light and sound, and nausea.
- Labyrinthitis: This condition involves inflammation of the inner ear structures (the labyrinth), often due to a viral infection, leading to vertigo, hearing loss, and nausea.
- Vestibular Neuritis: Similar to labyrinthitis, vestibular neuritis is caused by inflammation of the vestibular nerve, which carries information about balance and spatial orientation from the inner ear to the brain.
- Acoustic Neuroma: This is a noncancerous tumor that develops on the vestibular nerve or the nerve responsible for hearing, leading to symptoms such as vertigo, hearing loss, and tinnitus.
How is Vertigo Diagnosed?
Diagnosing the underlying cause of vertigo typically involves a comprehensive evaluation by a healthcare professional, which may include:
- Medical History and Physical Examination: Your doctor will review your medical history and conduct a physical examination to assess your symptoms and identify any underlying conditions.
- Vestibular Tests: These tests assess the function of the vestibular system, which is responsible for balance and spatial orientation. Common vestibular tests include the Dix-Hallpike maneuver, caloric testing, and vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP) testing.
- Imaging Studies: In some cases, imaging tests such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scans may be ordered to rule out structural abnormalities or tumors in the inner ear or brain.
What are the Treatment Options for Vertigo?
Treatment for vertigo depends on the underlying cause and may include:
- Epley Maneuver: This series of head movements can help reposition the displaced calcium crystals in the inner ear to alleviate symptoms of BPPV.
- Medications: Medications such as vestibular suppressants, antiemetics, and migraine prophylaxis drugs may be prescribed to alleviate vertigo symptoms and prevent episodes.
- Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT): VRT is a specialized exercise-based program designed to improve balance, reduce dizziness, and enhance vestibular function through a series of customized exercises and maneuvers.
- Lifestyle Modifications: Making changes to your lifestyle, such as avoiding triggers (e.g., caffeine, alcohol, stress) and practicing stress management techniques, can help minimize vertigo symptoms.
- Surgery: In rare cases where vertigo is caused by structural abnormalities or tumors, surgical intervention may be necessary to correct the underlying issue.
Vertigo can significantly impact your quality of life, but with proper diagnosis and treatment, it is often manageable. At Aktif International Hospitals, our multidisciplinary team of specialists is dedicated to helping you find relief from vertigo and regain your balance and stability. If you’re experiencing symptoms of vertigo or have concerns about your vestibular health, please don’t hesitate to contact us for an evaluation. We’re here to support you on your journey to better health and well-being.
Author: Ufuk Konca