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Vertigo-associated disorders

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment

Definition:

Vertigo is a sensation of motion or spinning that leads to dizziness and discomfort.

Vertigo is not the same as light-headedness . People with vertigo feel as though they are actually spinning or moving, or that the environment itself is spinning.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

There are two types of vertigo:

• Peripheral vertigo occurs if there is a problem with the part of the inner ear that controls balance (vestibular labyrinth or semicircular canals) or with the vestibular nerve, which connects the inner ear to the brainstem.
• Central vertigo occurs if there is a problem in the brain, particularly in the brainstem or the cerebellum (back part of the brain).

Vertigo related to the inner ear may be caused by:

• Benign positional vertigo (recurrent attacks of vertigo, especially when the head is in certain positions)
• Drugs called aminoglycoside antibiotics
• Ménière's disease
• Labyrinthitis
• Injury

Vertigo related to the vestibular nerve may be caused by:

• Inflammation (neuronitis)
• Nerve compression (usually a benign tumor such as a meningioma or schwannoma)

Vertigo related to the brainstem may be caused by:

• Multiple sclerosis
• Blood vessel disease
• Migraine
• Drugs (anticonvulsants, aspirin, alcohol)

References:

Cummings CW, Flint PW, Haughey BH, et al. Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery. 4th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2005:3226.

Rakel P, ed. Conn ’s Current Therapy 2005 . 57th ed. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders; 2005:226-227.

Goldman L, Ausiello D. Cecil Textbook of Medicine , 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders; 2004:240-241.

• Review Date: 11/21/2006
• Reviewed By: Daniel Kantor, M.D., Director of the Comprehensive MS Center, Neuroscience Institute, University of Florida Health Science Center, Jacksonville, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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