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Is vertigo life threatening. Vertigo: Understanding Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments for Dizziness

by alexxlab

Is vertigo a sign of serious illness. What causes the spinning sensation. How is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo diagnosed. What treatments are available for BPPV.

What is Vertigo and How Does It Affect Daily Life?

Vertigo is a disorienting condition characterized by a sensation of spinning or movement, either of oneself or the surrounding environment. The severity and duration of vertigo episodes can vary significantly among individuals. For some, the symptoms are mild and fleeting, lasting only seconds. Others may experience more intense episodes that persist for minutes or even hours.

In severe cases, vertigo can become a chronic issue, with frequent episodes occurring over extended periods, sometimes lasting weeks or months. These prolonged bouts of vertigo can significantly impact an individual’s ability to maintain balance and perform routine daily activities.

  • Mild cases: Brief, barely noticeable sensations
  • Moderate cases: Episodes lasting several minutes to hours
  • Severe cases: Frequent episodes over weeks or months

Accompanying symptoms often include nausea, particularly during extended vertigo episodes. While vertigo itself is not typically life-threatening, it can be a symptom of an underlying medical condition. Therefore, it is crucial to seek medical evaluation to determine the root cause and appropriate treatment.

Central vs. Peripheral Vertigo: Understanding the Differences

Vertigo can be classified into two main types based on its origin: central vertigo and peripheral vertigo. Each type has distinct characteristics and potential causes.

Central Vertigo

Central vertigo originates from issues within the brain itself. This type of vertigo can be associated with more serious conditions such as:

  • Stroke
  • Brain tumors
  • Multiple sclerosis

Symptoms of central vertigo typically develop gradually and are often milder but more persistent compared to peripheral vertigo. Individuals with central vertigo may experience:

  • Gait instability
  • Loss of coordination
  • Constant, mild dizziness

Unlike peripheral vertigo, central vertigo is not affected by changes in head position or movement. Diagnosis and management of central vertigo often require the expertise of a neurologist.

Peripheral Vertigo

Peripheral vertigo, the more common type, stems from problems in the inner ear’s balance control mechanisms. Characteristics of peripheral vertigo include:

  • Sudden onset of symptoms
  • More severe dizziness compared to central vertigo
  • Triggered by changes in head position or movement
  • Possible nausea and vomiting
  • Generally does not affect gait or coordination

The most prevalent form of peripheral vertigo is Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV). Despite its alarming symptoms, BPPV is considered a benign condition, meaning it is not cancerous or inherently harmful. However, its impact on quality of life can be significant.

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): Causes and Mechanisms

To comprehend BPPV and its occurrence, it’s essential to understand the basic anatomy and functions of the inner ear. The inner ear consists of three primary components:

  1. Cochlea: A snail-shaped, fluid-filled organ responsible for hearing
  2. Semi-circular canals: Fluid-filled channels that sense head position and regulate balance
  3. Otolith organs: Tiny sacs connecting the semi-circular canals, containing small calcium crystals (canaliths) that help detect movement and maintain balance

BPPV occurs when the calcium crystals (canaliths) in the otolith organs become dislodged and migrate into the semi-circular canals. This displacement disrupts the normal signals sent to the brain regarding body position, resulting in the intense dizziness associated with BPPV.

Several factors can contribute to the dislodging of these crystals:

  • Head trauma
  • Normal aging of the inner ear
  • Other inner ear disorders
  • Upper respiratory infections
  • Unknown causes in some cases

Diagnosing BPPV: The Importance of Medical Evaluation

When diagnosing BPPV, healthcare professionals rely on a combination of patient history, physical examination, and specific diagnostic tests. Dr. Sarah Mowry, an ear, nose, and throat specialist at UH, emphasizes the importance of the patient’s description of their symptoms:

“The most important part of the evaluation will be your description of the dizziness and when it occurs,” says Dr. Mowry. “For most people with BPPV, the dizziness is a short-lived but intense sensation of room spinning that occurs when you roll over in bed toward the affected ear, look up at something, or flip your head over while using the hairdryer, to mention a few examples. It is provoked by movement and goes away within 90 seconds. Some people also experience a sensation of being off balance even when they are not moving their heads.”

A key component in diagnosing BPPV is the Dix-Hallpike maneuver, a physical examination designed to provoke dizziness if it is caused by BPPV. Dr. Mowry notes, “While this examination may be briefly uncomfortable, it is key in making the diagnosis.”

Treatment Options for BPPV: Effective Solutions for Vertigo Relief

Although BPPV can be disruptive to daily life, it is rarely a serious condition. The dizziness associated with BPPV is generally short-lived, lasting less than 90 seconds. Patients can often manage symptoms by fixing their gaze on a stationary object during an episode.

However, healthcare providers may recommend additional treatments to alleviate symptoms and address the underlying cause. One of the most effective treatments for BPPV is the Canalith Repositioning Procedure (CRP).

Canalith Repositioning Procedure (CRP)

The Canalith Repositioning Procedure is a simple, non-invasive series of head movements designed to relocate the dislodged calcium crystals from the semi-circular canals back to the otolith organs where they belong. This procedure can often provide immediate relief from BPPV symptoms.

Key points about CRP:

  • Non-invasive and typically painless
  • Can be performed in a doctor’s office
  • May require multiple sessions for optimal results
  • Success rates are generally high, with many patients experiencing significant improvement after one or two treatments

Living with Vertigo: Coping Strategies and Lifestyle Adjustments

While medical treatments can be highly effective in managing vertigo, there are also several lifestyle adjustments and coping strategies that individuals can employ to minimize the impact of vertigo on their daily lives:

  1. Maintain good hydration: Dehydration can exacerbate vertigo symptoms, so it’s crucial to drink plenty of water throughout the day.
  2. Practice good sleep hygiene: Adequate rest can help reduce the frequency and severity of vertigo episodes.
  3. Avoid trigger foods: Some individuals find that certain foods or beverages, such as those high in salt or caffeine, can trigger vertigo. Identifying and avoiding these triggers can be helpful.
  4. Use assistive devices: In severe cases, walking aids or home modifications may be necessary to prevent falls and ensure safety.
  5. Engage in balance exercises: Under the guidance of a healthcare professional, specific exercises can help improve balance and reduce vertigo symptoms.
  6. Manage stress: Stress can exacerbate vertigo symptoms, so incorporating stress-reduction techniques like meditation or yoga may be beneficial.
  7. Avoid sudden movements: When possible, make slow, controlled movements, especially when changing positions or getting out of bed.

When to Seek Medical Attention: Recognizing Serious Symptoms

While vertigo itself is often not life-threatening, it can sometimes be a symptom of a more serious underlying condition. It’s important to recognize when to seek immediate medical attention.

Seek emergency care if vertigo is accompanied by:

  • Sudden, severe headache
  • Chest pain
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg
  • Sudden changes in vision or hearing
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Inability to walk or stand

These symptoms could indicate more serious conditions such as stroke, heart attack, or other neurological emergencies that require immediate medical intervention.

Future Directions in Vertigo Research and Treatment

As our understanding of vertigo and its underlying causes continues to evolve, researchers are exploring new avenues for diagnosis and treatment. Some promising areas of research include:

  • Advanced imaging techniques: Improved MRI and CT scanning methods may allow for earlier and more accurate diagnosis of central vertigo causes.
  • Vestibular implants: Similar to cochlear implants for hearing loss, vestibular implants are being developed to help restore balance in individuals with severe vestibular disorders.
  • Gene therapy: Research is ongoing to identify genetic factors that may contribute to vertigo and develop targeted therapies.
  • Virtual reality-based rehabilitation: VR technology is being explored as a tool for vestibular rehabilitation, allowing patients to practice balance exercises in a controlled, immersive environment.
  • Pharmacological advances: New medications are being developed to target specific mechanisms involved in vertigo, potentially offering more effective and targeted treatments.

As research progresses, individuals living with vertigo can look forward to more personalized and effective treatment options in the future. In the meantime, working closely with healthcare providers and adhering to recommended treatments and lifestyle modifications can significantly improve quality of life for those affected by vertigo.

Is Vertigo a Sign of Serious Illness?

Vertigo is a medical term used to describe the sensation that you, or the environment around you, is moving or spinning.

Often described as dizziness, for some people, the sensations are barely noticeable and last only seconds. For others, episodes of vertigo can last for several minutes or even hours. In severe cases, the unsettling sensations can occur frequently over weeks or months and make it difficult to stay balanced and carry out the tasks of daily life. Feelings of nausea often accompany prolonged episodes of vertigo.

Although not usually a serious health concern, vertigo can be a symptom of an underlying medical condition and should always be evaluated by a doctor to determine what treatment, if any, is needed.

Potential Causes of Vertigo

Brief and temporary episodes of vertigo may occur due to dehydration, cold viruses or inner ear infection/inflammation. In these cases, the symptoms typically resolve when the virus clears; the infection is treated; or the body is rehydrated.

Recurring episodes of vertigo that do not go away on their own may be caused by a problem related to the inner ear or the brain. There are two main types of vertigo, each presenting with a distinct set of symptoms:

Central Vertigo. Caused by a problem in the brain, central vertigo can be linked to serious conditions such as stroke, brain tumor and multiple sclerosis. Symptoms develop gradually and are typically mild but constant and may include gait instability and loss of coordination. This type of vertigo is not affected by head position and movement and is most often diagnosed and managed by a neurologist.

Peripheral Vertigo. Far more common, peripheral vertigo is caused by a problem in the part of the inner ear that controls balance. Symptoms are usually of sudden onset and may be more severe than those experienced with central vertigo. This type of vertigo is triggered by sudden changes in head position and/or movement and may cause nausea and/or vomiting. Gait and coordination are not usually affected.

The most common type of peripheral vertigo is Benign Positional Paroxysmal Vertigo or BPPV. As its name suggests, BPPV is a benign condition, meaning it is not cancerous or harmful. However, its symptoms can be alarming and affect one’s quality of life.

What Causes Benign Positional Paroxysmal Vertigo (BPPV)?

To understand BPPV and why it occurs, it’s important to have a basic understanding of the anatomy of the inner ear and its functions. The inner ear has three main parts:

  • Cochlea – a snail-shaped, fluid-filled organ responsible for hearing
  • Semi-circular canals – fluid-filled channels that sense head position and regulate balance
  • Otolith organs – tiny sacks that connect the semi-circular canals. These sacks contain small calcium crystals (canaliths) that help detect movement and maintain balance.

If the crystals contained in the otolith organs become dislodged, they can move into the semi-circular canal and become trapped there. This disrupts the signals sent to your brain about your position and can cause the intense dizziness associated with BPPV. Crystals can become dislodged due to head trauma, normal aging of the inner ear, other inner ear disorders or after an upper respiratory infection. In some cases, the cause is unknown.

How Is BPPV Diagnosed?

Your doctor will first take a complete medical history and conduct a physical exam.

“The most important part of the evaluation will be your description of the dizziness and when it occurs,” says UH ear, nose and throat specialist, Sarah Mowry, MD. “For most people with BPPV, the dizziness is a short-lived but intense sensation of room spinning that occurs when you roll over in bed toward the affected ear, look up at something or flip your head over while using the hairdryer, to mention a few examples. It is provoked by movement and goes away within 90 seconds. Some people also experience a sensation of being off balance even when they are not moving their heads. ”

“The most useful physical exam for the diagnosis of BPPV is the Dix-Hallpike maneuver, which is designed to provoke dizziness if it is caused by BPPV. While this examination may be briefly uncomfortable, it is key in making the diagnosis,” adds Dr. Mowry.

Effective Treatments Are Available for BPPV

Although BPPV can be bothersome, it’s rarely serious. The dizziness associated with BPPV is generally short lived (less than 90 seconds) and can usually be decreased by fixing your vision on a stationary object when it happens.

Your doctor may also recommend additional treatments, which may include:

  • Canalith Repositioning Procedure (CRP) – a simple, noninvasive series of head movements that help move the dislodged crystals out of the semi-circular canals and back into the otolith organs where they belong. Although one time through the procedure is often enough to resolve symptoms, your doctor can teach you how to do these movements at home in the event your BPPV recurs.
  • Vestibular Therapy – a type of physical therapy which helps people with dizziness and balance problems.

Related Links:

Although vertigo is not usually a sign of serious illness, it should always be evaluated by a doctor. The ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialists at University Hospitals have the advanced training and experience to evaluate, diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions, including balance disorders.

Is Vertigo Dangerous? – The Danger of Untreated Vertigo

Just about every dizzy patient we’ve seen at the Dizzy & Vertigo Institute recounts their first vertigo experience as extremely frightening. Thrown into an unexpected spiral with no understanding of why it started or when it will end. This unfamiliar experience eventually ends, but for some, comes back again like a boomerang a few days, months, or years later. This leaves many of them wondering “is vertigo dangerous?”

Unfortunately, the answer to that question is complicated. In fact, there are many answers to that question.

Is Vertigo Dangerous?

There are two reasons that you would ask this question:

  1. You’re scared and want to know if something bad may come from vertigo.

  2. You want to confirm vertigo is not dangerous, so you can just let it go and not do anything about it.

First and foremost, you should never leave your dizziness or vertigo untreated. (Read our article on The 3 Dangers of Leaving Your Vertigo Untreated.)

Furthermore, you must understand that there are many sources of vertigo. And the source of your vertigo is what dictates the severity of your situation.

For instance, there was a study of 9,000 people who admitted themselves to the emergency room because of their dizziness. Of that group, about ⅓ of them had vertigo causes resulting from problems in their inner ear. The other ⅔ had problems neurologically, cardiovascularly, or a range of other sources.

Inner ear vertigo, also known as Peripheral Vertigo, is generally not dangerous or life-threatening. Unless of course the vertigo comes when you’re driving down the highway at 70 mph. But that’s a different story.

On the other hand, Central Vertigo is the more serious cause of vertigo. Central Vertigo results from problems in your central nervous system, specifically the brain and nerve structure. Central Vertigo is linked with serious conditions such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, and brain tumor. So yes, in this case, vertigo can be quite dangerous. And you should seek the emergency room immediately. (Read about the Warning Signs of Central Vertigo.)

The problem, though, is that you don’t know where your vertigo is coming from. And that’s where we come in.

What Should I Do?

You need to seek medical clearance from your primary care physician to rule out any bad or scary causes first. This might include bedside examinations, blood work or imaging.

For most the next step should be to rule out the inner ear from a Vestibular Audiologist, as these are the specialists in vestibular related conditions. With so many causes of vertigo and the fact that it might not even be vertigo you’re experiencing, a Vestibular Audiologist is the most well-equipped doctor to discern what is going wrong in your vestibular (inner ear balance) system.

Regardless of the source of your vertigo, whether it’s peripheral or central, there are dangers of leaving it untreated. Financial costs, emotional and relationship costs, work-related costs, the list goes on.

Dr. Google is only going to get you so far. In fact, it may lead you down the wrong path.

Therefore, you need to be properly diagnosed. The doctors with the right equipment for the job (most frequently Vestibular Audiologists) have scientific processes for analyzing the common places in our bodies that cause vertigo/dizziness.

If you or someone you know suffers from constant or frequent vertigo, then please reach out to us at (310) 954-2207 or by filling out our contact form.

We look forward to helping you back to a dizzy-free life!

What really makes me dizzy

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People with regular dizziness often attribute their illness to the consequences of diseased blood vessels. In fact, everything is somewhat more complicated. There are many more reasons for the violation, and searching for and understanding them is somewhat more difficult than it seems at first glance. It is far from immediately possible to understand which doctor to contact, and what is the best thing to do in order to get rid of life-spoiling troubles.

Patients with such a problem do not turn to an ENT or neurologist very often – only 10-20% of those who complain. But among them there are both young and old people. Although the latter are much more. Almost every second person aged complains of a problem with dizziness.

Some experts identify up to 33 diseases or disorders that are characterized by the symptom of “dizziness”. These include tumors, head injuries, and various neuroinfections. The aforementioned problems with vascular pressure should also not be forgotten, they really cause dizziness.

Depending on the underlying cause, the doctor will be able to prescribe a specific and effective treatment. That is why it is important to determine the real cause of the symptom.

For example, diseased blood vessels are not always found in people with dizziness. It is not uncommon for a large number of procedures to be performed to normalize blood pressure. But the person is still often dizzy.

Dizziness is a dangerous sign!

Why is it important to monitor this symptom? Statistics show that one in five people admitted to the hospital with dizziness has experienced a stroke. Therefore, it is extremely important to undergo an examination before irreparable consequences occur.

Unfortunately, a lot of diagnoses are made erroneously and unjustifiably. For example, the patient is explained that osteochondrosis is to blame. Since the nerves of the cervical spine were pinched, the result is not surprising – dizziness. This diagnosis is correct in certain cases.

There is also a list of diseases that doctors do not pay attention to when patients complain of dizziness. A striking case is a disease of the peripheral vestibular system. Such violations are dealt with by an otolaryngologist or an ENT specialist, to which people with such complaints simply do not come.

When you are out of balance

How can you determine if you are prone to a disorder of the vestibular apparatus? If you are quickly “sick” in a vehicle, then you can suspect such a feature. And if the attending physician is informed about this in a timely manner, he will make the correct diagnosis much faster and easier.

An interesting point: if this is really the cause of dizziness, then the patient can help himself with proper training. And no medication is needed. There is no need to re-evaluate different drugs and their treatments.

Control and consultation with a doctor in any case will be needed. Only a qualified specialist will help you choose individual gymnastic exercises, as well as the technique for their implementation. Regular classes give almost one hundred percent result, but you should not expect a change too quickly. The body adapts to stress gradually, and dizziness will no longer disturb the quality of life.

With proper investment of time and patience, 90% of patients get a positive result and improve their health.

The main thing is to contact an ENT in time, who will be able to find out the exact cause of dizziness.

Signs of “vestibular” dizziness:

  • Instability of the body position, the person “shakes”;
  • Disorientation in space;
  • Sensation of imaginary movement;
  • In the morning, when getting out of bed, severe attacks of dizziness;
  • Anxiety, uncertainty, confusion and depression develop in parallel.

At the Surdovest clinic, professional doctors are primarily focused on such treatment that can be carried out without unnecessary intervention. Only when absolutely necessary will they recommend medication or surgery.

You can make an appointment in Riga and Jelgava. It is also possible to receive at the lore without an appointment.

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