Vertigo Q & A

What is vertigo?

Vertigo is a condition, often caused by an inner ear, brain, or blood vessel problem, that makes it feel like the room around you is spinning. You might also feel dizzy or off-balance. Vertigo is usually a symptom of an underlying medical problem. 

Peripheral vertigo commonly results from inner ear problems, while central vertigo often occurs because of a brain injury, stroke, or blood vessel disease. Finding the root cause of and treating your symptoms can reduce the risk of further problems and improve your quality of life.

What are the symptoms of vertigo?

Common symptoms of vertigo include:

  • Dizziness
  • Balance problems
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Spinning or rocking sensations
  • Inner ear fullness
  • Headaches or migraines
  • Motion sickness
  • Side-to-side eye movements

Your symptoms could be mild or severe and debilitating. They might get worse if you stand up, walk, or move your head.

Vertigo symptoms may last just a few seconds, minutes, hours, days, or even months. See the experts at Advanced Heart Care Associates at the first sign of a problem.

What are the risk factors for vertigo?

While vertigo can happen to anyone, common risk factors include:

  • Being over 65
  • Being a woman
  • Pregnancy
  • Family history of vertigo
  • Inner ear inflammation, infection, or fluid buildup 
  • Repeated ear infections
  • Strokes
  • Blood vessel diseases
  • Migraines
  • Diabetes
  • Head injuries
  • Arrhythmia
  • Some medications 
  • Ear surgery
  • Shingles
  • Prolonged bed rest
  • Low blood pressure
  • Syphilis
  • Ongoing or severe stress

Inner ear bone abnormalities, brain diseases, and tumors can also cause vertigo or increase your risk of developing it.

How is vertigo diagnosed?

To find out if you have vertigo, your cardiologist at Advanced Heart Care Associates asks about your symptoms and medical history. They complete a physical exam and recommend balance testing or other diagnostic tests. 

They might order blood tests, eye-movement testing, a CT scan, an MRI, or another imaging procedure. Your cardiologist may recommend tests that measure your brain’s electrical activity or a vascular ultrasound to determine if you have a blood vessel disorder.

How is vertigo treated?

Treatment can help you better manage unpleasant symptoms or the underlying cause of vertigo. Your Advanced Heart Care Associates specialist tailors each treatment plan based on your individualized needs. They help relieve your vertigo by addressing the cause of it.

Your provider might recommend medications, repositioning maneuvers, or surgery. They may suggest you take dietary supplements, sleep with your head elevated, maintain a healthy weight, and make dietary changes. Get regular exercise, don’t smoke, and avoid abrupt movements when standing up or turning your head.

To find out if you have vertigo or get treated for it, call one of the Advanced Heart Care Associates offices or schedule an appointment online today.