Believe it or not, vertigo is one of the most common medical complaints reported in the US and the majority of people will experience it to some degree at some point or another in their life. If you are experiencing vertigo, have a loved one who is experiencing vertigo or are simply intrigued by this condition, chances are you’re looking for some in-depth information on the subject. Here’s a complete guide to provide you with all the information you could possibly need!

What is vertigo?

Put simply, vertigo is the experience of the sensation that you’re moving when you’re not. Alternatively, you may feel that things around you are moving when they’re not. It can feel relatively similar to motion sickness. Those who have experienced vertigo will often recount that they feel symptoms of dizziness, sickness or the sensation that the room is spinning.

The severity of these symptoms can vary from mild to severe. People experiencing mild vertigo may be able to continue with their day to day routines, while individuals with severe vertigo may struggle to complete basic, daily tasks. It is important to remember that vertigo is not a condition itself. Instead, it is generally a symptom of another underlying condition.

Treating vertigo

As we have briefly noted, vertigo isn’t a condition. Instead, it’s a symptom of other conditions. So, in order to resolve vertigo, you will need to identify and treat the condition that is causing it. This is where an ear, nose and throat specialist (ENT) can help.

Treating vertigo symptoms

Often, your ENT will start out by treating the symptoms of vertigo itself. This will help to provide you with relief until they have found the underlying cause and can treat that separately. More often than not, your ENT will provide you with travel sickness tablets, which suppress information passed from the inner ear to the brain. This can help to significantly reduce the feelings of sickness or dizziness that you may be experiencing. Further to this, your ENT may show you different exercises you can carry out at home to further reduce symptoms.

Treating a viral infection

Most often, it will be found that your vertigo symptoms are the result of a viral infection. These infections will often resolve themselves over the course of a couple of weeks. If this is the case, your ENT will generally use some of the treatments listed above to help with your symptoms until the virus has left your system.

Treating Meniere's disease

Meniere’s disease is a common cause of vertigo. It is a disorder of the inner ear which can cause vertigo and other dizzy spells. While there is not currently a cure for Meniere’s disease, your ENT can prescribe medications that will help reduce symptoms and instances of vertigo.

Treating migraines

In some cases, vertigo can be triggered by a migraine. If your ENT finds that this is the cause of your vertigo, they will identify what causes your migraines, so you can avoid your triggers. They may also help to relieve tension in your neck, which could be causing your migraines.

The treatment that will best suit you and will best resolve your vertigo symptoms will largely depend on what is causing your vertigo. Your ENT will be able to diagnose the cause and provide the best course of treatment. So, don’t feel afraid to reach out for help!