https://www.crystalrunhealthcare.com/specialties/otolaryngology | Vertigo involves the feeling of spinning, leading to dizziness and nausea. It can be a very distressing condition, but it is treatable. Your medical provider will investigate the cause of your vertigo symptoms and plan your treatment accordingly, which may include medication, physical therapy, or surgery.

1. VERTIGO
A GUIDE TO

2. What You Need to
Know
Have you ever felt like the world is spinning
around you? That sensation could be vertigo,
which can cause dizziness and confusion. While
often temporary, vertigo can be frustrating to
deal with if it occurs often or is a symptom of a
more severe condition.

3. What Is Vertigo?
Vertigo is a feeling of dizziness or spinning,
often accompanied by nausea. People with
vertigo may feel as though they or their
surroundings are moving when they're not.
Vertigo can be caused by inner ear problems
or other medical conditions that affect the
balance system in your brain.

4. Vertigo Symptoms You
May Experience
● Nausea
● Dizziness
● Blurred vision
● Feeling faint or lightheaded, perhaps even passing
out (not the same as fainting in general)
● Irregular heartbeat, especially an irregular pulse
that's faster than usual (palpitations)
● Trouble walking without falling

5. What Causes Vertigo?
There are many causes of vertigo, so it's important to be
tested by a healthcare provider if you have persistent
dizziness. Some of the most common causes include:
● Inner ear problems
● Brain problems, such as stroke or tumors (tumors in
the brain can cause both hearing and balance loss)
● Nervous system problems, such as multiple sclerosis
(MS) or peripheral neuropathy (damage to the nerves
outside the brain and spinal cord)
● Diseases and conditions that affect blood vessels
leading from your heart (for example, high blood
pressure)

6. Other Causes of Vertigo
● Ménière's disease (a disease affecting the inner
ear)
● Migraines or other types of headaches
● Circulation disorders
● Head trauma
● Viral infections
● Medications—including certain antibiotics and
drugs used to treat cancer

7. Diagnosing Vertigo
To diagnose vertigo, your medical provider will ask
you questions about your symptoms and medical
history. Your provider may also examine you and
order tests to rule out other conditions that could be
causing or contributing to your vertigo. Some tests
include:
● A balance test (known as a Dix-Hallpike
maneuver)
● MRI scan of the brain
● Blood tests
● Examination of eyes and ears
● Hearing testing

8. Treating Vertigo
The treatment for vertigo can vary greatly,
depending on the underlying cause of your
symptoms. In some cases, medication and
non-surgical options are enough to manage
your condition. For other patients, injections
or surgery may be necessary to relieve their
symptoms.

9. Consult With Your
Provider
Vertigo can be distressing, but it is treatable and
you don't have to suffer in silence. There are many
treatment options available, including medication,
physical therapy, and surgery.
Medication can help with symptoms while physical
therapy may help with balance and coordination.
Surgery is usually reserved for situations where
vertigo is caused by an issue in the inner ear
itself—this is less common but still happens from
time to time.

10. Ear, Nose, and Throat
Specialists at Crystal Run
Healthcare Can Help
Here at Crystal Run Healthcare, we diagnose and treat
vertigo and its symptoms. Our specialists in
Otolaryngology will assess your condition and create a
plan of care to bring you back to optimum health.
Learn more about your options at Crystal Run
Healthcare, or contact us to book a consultation with one
of our ENT specialists.