Vertigo

What is vertigo?

Vertigo is a symptom that causes the sensation of being off-balance. It may be triggered by a change in the position of your head and cause symptoms such as:

• Spinning
• Dizziness
• Lightheadedness
• Swaying
• Tilting
• The feeling of being pulled in one direction

Your vertigo symptoms may be fleeting or last for hours. They may also come and go.

If you’re experiencing vertigo, contact the experts at Southern ENT & Sinus Center for a consultation. The team specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of balance disorders and dizziness and dizzy spells. 

What causes vertigo?

In most cases, vertigo develops due to problems with your inner ear. Your inner ear plays a central role in letting your brain know the position of your body. Changes in the structure or function of the inner ear may cause you to feel off-balance.

Some of the most common causes of vertigo include:

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)

BPPV is the most common cause of vertigo. Though the underlying cause of BPPV isn’t always clear, you may develop the condition after a blow to the head or if calcium deposits develop in the inner ear. 

Meniere’s disease

Meniere’s disease causes vertigo due to a buildup of fluid in the inner ear. With this condition, you may experience ringing in your ear or hearing loss. 

Inner ear infection

Vertigo may also occur from an inner ear infection. A virus is most often the cause. 

Hearing loss

Changes in your hearing may also make you feel off-balance. 

What happens during a vertigo consultation?

Southern ENT & Sinus Center specializes in conditions that affect the ear, nose, and throat. During a vertigo consultation, your provider conducts a thorough evaluation to find the root cause of your symptoms, so you get the most effective treatment plan.

Your specialist at Southern ENT & Sinus Center asks detailed questions about your symptoms, including when they started and the activities that worsen or alleviate your symptoms. They also review your medical history and closely examine your ears, nose, and throat.

To confirm or rule out a suspected diagnosis, your specialist may run various tests, such as:

• CT scan
• Hearing test
• Allergy testing
• Nasal swab or throat culture

Southern ENT & Sinus Center is a state-of-the-art otolaryngology practice and performs these tests in-house. 

How is vertigo treated?

Treatment for your vertigo is individualized based on the underlying cause. Some of the treatment options may include:

• Vestibular rehabilitation (to strengthen the vestibular system)
• Allergy medication
• Ear tubes
• Custom-fit hearing aids
• Antibiotics

For BPPV, the team may perform canalith repositioning maneuvers, which require specific movements of your head or neck that change the position of the calcium deposits in your inner ear to alleviate your vertigo. 

To schedule your vertigo consultation, call Southern ENT & Sinus Center, or book an appointment online today.