Vertigo treatment available online today

• Labyrinthitis - The inflammation of part of the inner ear that is called the labyrinth. Viral infections such as the common cold are the typical cause of labyrinthitis, although it can also be caused by bacteria.

• Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) - The most common type of vertigo overall, BPPV happens when tiny particles of calcium (canaliths) clump up in the inner ear canals, leading to the sudden sensation that you're spinning or that the inside of your head is spinning.

• Head injuries - If you experience dizziness after a head injury, you need to get immediate medical attention.

• Vestibular neuronitis - Vestibular neuritis is an inflammation of the nerve running from the labyrinth to the brain. It's typically caused by a viral infection and comes on suddenly.

• Migraines - Migraines are severe headaches that are typically felt as a throbbing in the front or on one side of the head. Young people are especially prone to migraines.

• Multiple sclerosis - MS can affects the brain and spinal cord.

• Acoustic neuroma - Acoustic neuroma is a rare, non-cancerous brain tumor that grows on the nerve that helps to control hearing and balance (the acoustic nerve).

• Transient ischemic attacks (TIA) or strokes - When parts of the blood supply to the brain are cut off, can lead to symptoms of vertigo. This is a medical emergency and should prompt immediate medical care.

• Head injuries – Head injuries can disrupt our brain’s ability to appropriately orient in relation to gravity. This is an urgent symptom and should prompt immediate medical care.

• Certain types of medication - Some medications can have central vertigo as a side effect. Talk to your doctor about switching medications. Never stop taking a prescription without talking to your doctor first.

• Dizziness

• Loss of balance, possibly so severe that it's difficult to stand or walk

• Nausea or vomiting

• Headache

• Sweating

• Ringing in the ears or hearing loss

• Unusual or jerking eye movements (called nystagmus)

• Sensations of spinning, tilting, swaying, being unbalanced or being pulled in one direction

Your doctor may have a pretty good idea of your vertigo causes based on your symptoms and medical history, but sometimes more extensive testing is required. Your doctor will first want to rule out life-threatening problems such as a stroke. During your initial appointment, you should be prepared to answer questions about:

• The first time you experienced vertigo did you feel lightheaded? Was the room spinning?

• Did you experience other associated symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, ringing in the ears, hearing loss, or a sense of fullness in the ear?

• How frequently do your vertigo symptoms occur, and how long they last?

• Does movement make them worsen?

• What other triggers make your symptoms worse?

• What makes your symptoms improve?

Your doctor may also do a physical examination to check for or rule out conditions that can cause vertigo. They may look inside your ears, check your eyes for signs of uncontrolled movement, check your balance and other neurological tests, or try to recreate your symptoms by having you sit up or lie down quickly. If our Plushcare doctors feel you need a physical exam for proper diagnosis, they will triage your symptoms and guide you towards referrals to specialists or towards in-person care immediately.

Your doctor may perform additional testing or refer you to a specialist for additional testing to evaluate vertigo causes. These tests may include:

• Hearing tests done by an audiologist or ear, nose, and throat specialist (ENT) may be suggested if you are experiencing ringing in the ears (tinnitus) or hearing loss. The ENT may use a tuning fork or a machine that produces beeps at certain pitches to check for any hearing loss.

• Videonystagmography (VNG) helps look for signs of uncontrolled eye movements (nystagmus) in more detail. Nystagmus may indicate a problem with any of the systems that help you balance. You will be asked to wear special goggles and look at still or moving images. Video cameras inside the goggles record your eye movements and check for abnormalities.

• Caloric testing involves running warm or cool air or water into the ear for about 30 seconds. The sudden change in temperature stimulates the balance organ in your ear to see how well it's working. While the test isn't painful, it can cause dizziness that may take a while to wear off once the test is complete.

• Posturography uses a machine to test your balance. It gives useful information about how you are using your vision, proprioception (sensations from your feet and joints), and the input from your ear to maintain balance. This machine may also be used to track progress during rehabilitation.

• Scans can help check for structural problems in your brain such as tumors. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan uses a magnetic field and radio waves to show the inside of your head. A computerized tomography (CT) scan uses a series of x-rays to show the inside of your head.