Ear, Hearing & Balance
Vertigo and Its Causes: What You Need to Know
Feeling unsteady or as if the world around you is spinning can be disorienting. While occasional dizziness is common, persistent vertigo may indicate an issue with the inner ear or balance system. This blog explores what vertigo is, its causes, symptoms, and available treatments.
What Is Vertigo?
The terms giddiness and vertigo are sometimes used interchangeably, but they describe different sensations. Giddiness refers to a general feeling of lightheadedness or being off-balance, while vertigo creates a false sense of movement, making it seem as though you or your surroundings are spinning or tilting.
Vertigo is not a condition on its own but a symptom of an underlying issue, typically related to the inner ear or brain. It can last for seconds or persist for hours or days, depending on the cause.
Recognising the Symptoms of Vertigo
Vertigo often presents with additional symptoms that vary in intensity and duration depending on the underlying cause.
Spinning sensation: A feeling that either you or your surroundings are moving, tilting, or swaying when no actual motion is occurring.
Loss of balance: Difficulty maintaining stability, often leading to unsteady movement or an increased risk of falling.
Dizziness or lightheadedness: A sensation of being off-balance, especially when standing or walking.
Nausea and vomiting: Many people experience motion sickness-like symptoms, particularly during prolonged vertigo episodes.
Headaches: Some individuals, particularly those with vestibular migraines, may experience vertigo along with headaches.
Hearing problems: Hearing loss or changes in hearing, which are more common in conditions like Meniere’s disease.
Tinnitus (ringing or buzzing in the ears): A persistent ringing, buzzing, or humming sound in one or both ears.
If your vertigo is accompanied by sudden hearing loss, ear pressure, or persistent nausea, a prompt medical review is advisable. You may consult an ENT Specialist Singapore at any of our clinic locations for a formal audiological and vestibular assessment.
What Causes Vertigo?
Vertigo can arise from various conditions affecting the inner ear or the brain’s balance system. Some of the most common causes include:
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): BPPV occurs when small calcium carbonate crystals (canaliths) in the inner ear become dislodged and interfere with balance signals sent to the brain. It often triggers brief but intense vertigo episodes with head movements, such as rolling over in bed or tilting the head upward.
Meniere’s Disease: This condition involves fluid build-up in the inner ear, which can cause recurring episodes of vertigo, tinnitus (ringing or buzzing in the ears), fluctuating hearing loss, and a sensation of fullness in the ear. Episodes can last from minutes to hours.
Vestibular Neuritis: Vestibular neuritis is caused by inflammation of the vestibular nerve, often due to a viral infection. It can result in sudden, prolonged vertigo along with nausea and difficulty maintaining balance. Unlike Meniere’s disease, it does not typically cause hearing loss.
Vestibular Migraine: A vestibular migraine is a type of migraine that affects balance and can cause vertigo even without headache pain. It may also involve nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and unsteadiness.
Head Injuries: Concussions and other head trauma can disrupt the inner ear or brain structures responsible for balance. The severity of vertigo following a head injury varies depending on the extent of the damage.
Tumours or Growths: Tumours affecting the brain or inner ear can interfere with balance and hearing. These cases are less common but may require evaluation by a specialist.
Certain Medications: Some medications, including specific antibiotics, antidepressants, and motion sickness pills, can affect the inner ear and contribute to vertigo.
Chronic dizziness can often be intensified by poor restorative sleep or underlying breathing issues. A consultation with a Sleep Specialist in Singapore may be beneficial if your balance concerns are coupled with chronic fatigue or suspected obstructive sleep apnoea.
Treatment Options for Vertigo
Identifying the root cause of balance issues is essential for effective recovery. For those experiencing recurrent spinning sensations or instability, seeking professional Vertigo Treatment in Singapore can help manage symptoms through vestibular rehabilitation and medical therapy.
Treatment for vertigo depends on its cause. Some cases resolve without intervention, but persistent or recurrent vertigo may require specific treatments to relieve symptoms and improve balance.
Medications: Managing Symptoms and Reducing Discomfort
Medications may help relieve vertigo-related symptoms, especially if dizziness or nausea is severe. The type of medication prescribed depends on the underlying cause.
Diuretics (water pills): Used to reduce fluid build-up in the inner ear, particularly for Meniere’s disease, where excess fluid can trigger vertigo episodes.
Antihistamines and anticholinergics: Commonly prescribed to ease dizziness and nausea, especially for motion sickness-related vertigo.
Antibiotics: Recommended when vertigo is caused by an inner ear infection, helping to address the infection and reduce associated symptoms.
Gentamicin injection: In severe Meniere’s disease, a low-dose injection of gentamicin into the middle ear helps control vertigo by partially reducing the affected ear’s balance function.
Therapies: Non-Medication Approaches to Improve Balance
Certain therapies can help manage vertigo symptoms by addressing balance issues and retraining the body’s response to motion. These approaches are often effective for conditions like BPPV or vestibular disorders.
Head position manoeuvres (Epley manoeuvre): A guided series of head movements designed to reposition dislodged inner ear crystals in BPPV, helping to restore normal balance function.
Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT): A structured programme of targeted exercises that strengthen balance and reduce dizziness over time, particularly beneficial for those experiencing persistent vertigo.
Surgical Procedures: When Other Treatments Are Not Effective
Surgery is typically considered when vertigo persists despite other treatments or when it is caused by structural abnormalities in the inner ear or brain. Surgical options include:
Surgical removal of tumours: If a tumour affecting the balance system is detected, surgical removal may be necessary to alleviate vertigo symptoms and prevent further complications.
Procedures for head injuries: In cases where vertigo results from trauma, surgery may be required to repair structural damage and restore normal balance function.
Vertigo Treatment In Singapore
When to Seek Medical Attention
While vertigo is often temporary, medical attention is recommended if symptoms are severe, ongoing, or affecting daily life. Seek immediate medical care if vertigo occurs with sudden hearing loss, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, vision disturbances, limb weakness, or loss of consciousness, as these may signal a serious underlying condition.
Conclusion
Vertigo can disrupt daily life, but treatment options are available based on its cause. Recognising what causes vertigo and seeking appropriate medical care can assist in managing symptoms and restoring balance.
If vertigo persists or interferes with routine tasks, an ENT specialist can provide an assessment and tailored treatment options. Schedule a consultation today to explore the best approach for your condition.
