Saturday, March 30, 2024
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When vertigo spins out of control

As kids, spinning games that left us dizzy and tumbling onto the ground were thrilling. The feeling of losing control as the world whizzed around you was fun.

As adults, however, feelings of dizziness or vertigo are not so enjoyable. Losing our equilibrium without warning is a sign that something is not quite right.

Mostly, the problem stems from an imbalance in the inner ear. Unlike fainting, vertigo will not lead to a blackout.

But the feeling that you are about to pass out is similar to an episode of vertigo. Known medically as syncope, the onset of fainting is caused by too little oxygen reaching the brain because of a sudden fall in blood pressure.

Read: Common causes of dizzyness

Vertigo, on the other hand, is caused by a problem deep inside your ear that disrupts your ability to stay balanced on your feet. The dizziness is usually accompanied by ringing in the ears, nausea, sweating and sometimes a headache.

According to government site healthdirect.gov.au, the most common cause of vertigo is “benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)”.

“BPPV occurs when tiny calcium particles clump together in the part of the inner ear that helps control our balance, affecting the messages sent from your inner ear to your brain.

Read: Are the bacteria in your gut causing your rheumatoid arthritis?

“Other causes of vertigo include head injuries, stroke, circulation problems, infections, inner ear disorders, and the degeneration of inner ear structures.”

Inner ear problems can arise from:

    • Meniere’s disease: Abnormal build-up of fluid in the inner ear, affecting the cells responsible for balance and hearing

For guidance on when to seek medical attention for feelings of vertigo, visit healthdirect’s symptom checker.

Have you ever experienced vertigo severe enough to interfere with your day-to-day living? What caused it and what treatment did you receive? Do you have any tips on how to cope with dizziness?

Janelle Ward
Janelle Wardhttp://www.yourlifechoices.com.au/author/janellewa
Energetic and skilled editor and writer with expert knowledge of retirement, retirement income, superannuation and retirement planning.

1 COMMENT

  1. I have had BPPV twice, after each of my cochlear implant operations, in 2005 and 2009, caused by ‘debris’ on the semi-circular canals in my inner ear/s.
    https://www.racgp.org.au/afp/2013/january-february/the-epley-manoeuvre
    A simple treatment that worked speedily was the Epley Manoeuvre, which simply shook the debris off the canals and it was eventually broken down and reabsorbed by my system.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTnV3m4bWDg

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