What Might Cause My Vertigo to Suddenly Flare Up?
Are your vertigo flare-ups getting difficult to manage? An ENT specialist can help you uncover the root cause of your vertigo episodes and find solutions for vertigo management.
At least 40% of adults will experience vertigo at some point in their life, and women tend to experience episodes more often than men. Not only can this condition leave you feeling dizzy and unbalanced, but it can also cause nausea, which is a feeling of being sick to your stomach.
At ENT of New Orleans, with four locations in the Greater New Orleans area, our team of providers can help diagnose the cause of your vertigo and also help you manage any symptoms, such as nausea.
Vertigo occurs when the inner ear and brain sense movement when there is none. This is why people with vertigo feel like the world is spinning, even if they’re sitting or standing completely still. There are two main types of vertigo: peripheral vertigo and central vertigo.
Peripheral vertigo is caused by an issue with the inner ear, where the vestibular system is located. The vestibular system is responsible for balance, so you might experience vertigo if you have an inner ear infection or injury. One common type of peripheral vertigo is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, in which debri in the inner ear causes false signals to be sent to your brain that you’re moving.
Other conditions that can cause peripheral vertigo include the following:
Central vertigo is rooted in the brain, which often indicates a more serious issue. A number of problems can cause central vertigo, including the following:
The most common symptom of vertigo is a spinning sensation, but many people experience an uneasy stomach and vomiting as well. This is because your sense of balance is unstable, which confuses your body. People experience nausea during motion sickness for the same reason.
Nausea during vertigo is normal, but it can be stressful and embarrassing if you vomit during an episode. This is why many doctors prescribe antinausea medications to those suffering from vertigo and motion sickness.
Treatment depends on what kind of vertigo you’re experiencing and what’s causing it. Once your doctor diagnoses the cause of your vertigo, you can begin discussing treatment options.
Along with antinausea medications, your doctor might prescribe vestibular rehabilitation. This is a form of physical therapy that can help you maintain your balance and also help strengthen your vestibular system.
To learn more about the causes and treatments of vertigo, book an appointment online or over the phone with ENT of New Orleans today.
