Johns Hopkins Health Alert
Taking Control of Vertigo
If you have ever had an attack of dizziness, you know how frightening it can be. Almost everybody has felt faint, but many people experience a spinning or falling sensation—vertigo—and attacks may recur. Vertigo is often caused by problems with the body’s sense of balance.Your body uses three kinds of information to determine balance: visual, tactile and internal signals from the vestibular structure in the inner ear, which acts as the body’s “level.” Fluid moves through the vestibular structure, bending tiny hairs that send signals to the brain. Several conditions can throw the vestibular structure off balance, such as migraines or inner ear infections. Dizziness or vertigo can also be the first symptom of a stroke or other disorders, or it may be a side effect of some medications.
Often, however, vertigo is caused by some malfunction of the vestibular structure, including a condition known as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). This occurs when calcium carbonate crystals inside the vestibular structure break down and collect inside the semicircular canals. BPPV is the most common type of vertigo, with over 50 percent of people in their 70s experiencing at least one episode of vertigo.
Many people put off going to a doctor after suffering an attack of vertigo. But according to Lloyd Minor, M.D., Director of the Laboratory of Vestibular Neurophysiology at Johns Hopkins, “It’s not normal to have spontaneous episodes of vertigo, so it’s reasonable to get an evaluation after one occurs.”
Your doctor may refer you to an otolaryngologist (ear and throat specialist). Once you discover the exact cause of your vertigo, you can start on a course of treatment, which usually consists of vestibular rehabilitation exercises supervised by a physical therapist.
Posted in Healthy Living on September 29, 2006
Reviewed June 2011
Medical Disclaimer: This information is not intended to substitute for the advice of a physician. Click here for additional information: Johns Hopkins Health Alerts Disclaimer
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I have suffered many years with Vertigo/Dizziness. At Ft. Drum, NY I was administered Allergy Shots for 2.5 years. The problem became so bad that I had to discontinue driving for 1 month. After arriving in Korea, several test was administered and I was placed on decongestants. The problem goes away for sometime and then return. Sometimes I am not bothered with the problem for 1 to 2 years. I am presently taking Meclizine 12.5mg. The problem came back last summer for approximately 1 month, stopped and has returned again this year. I am at my wits end and just don't know what to do. I don't drive very far because I get dizzy and began to encounter anxiety attacks. I need help.
Posted by: ladywoolard | August 27, 2009 11:31 AM
I have suffered from bouts of dizziness and weird head stufiness for the last 18 years or so and cannot get any satisfaction from a doctor..I thought I was having tow attacks but my doctor poo-pood that. Sometimes its so bad its hard to function and now am experiencing visual migraines from time to time. Is there any help out there or am I doomed to suffer. I am 58 years old now.
Posted by: puppyluv | February 21, 2011 6:55 PM
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My wife who is in her late 70's has had dizziness since March of 2004. We have visited many doctors but none have given us any help. Currently they have her on a medication (Fludrocort .1 mg-5/day and Pot Chloride 10 meq Ercap Ethex 1 per day.) There not working! How do we get help? 1/23/2007
Posted by: brich | January 23, 2007 2:08 PM