Vertigo

(Giddiness)

Vertigo, also called giddiness, is the feeling that the room is spinning. The disorder can affect anybody, but is usually harmless. However, when accompanied by other symptoms, vertigo may be sign of undelying disorders (e.g. labyrinthitis).

Symptoms

• Illusion of spinning, which usually occurs when lying down, getting up, or turning the head quickly.
• Loss of balance.
• Nausea, vomiting.
• Ringing in the ears.
• Jerky eye movements.

Common Causes

• Viral illness (e.g. common, cold, flu).
• Decreased blood flow to the part of the brain that controls balance (e.g. narrow arteries that get twisted when turning the head).
• Head injury.
• Transient stroke. (see STROKE)
• Certain medicines, alcohol.
• Migraine.
• Epilepsy in rare cases.
• Meniere's disease (increased fluid in the inner ear), in rare cases.
• Brain tumor, in rare cases.

What you can do

• Consult a doctor.
• Avoid movements, positions, or substances that bring on vertigo.

What your doctor can do for you

• Determine the cause of vertigo and treat it.
• Prescribe appropriate medicine (e.g. antiemetics or anti-histamines).
• Recommend a neck collar if vertigo is brought on by turning the head.