Vertigo is a sensation of motion or spinning that is often described as dizziness.
Vertigo is not the same as light-headedness. People with vertigo feel as though they are actually spinning or moving, or that the world is spinning around them.
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsThere are two types of vertigo:
Vertigo related to the inner ear may be caused by:
Vertigo related to the vestibular nerve may be caused by:
Vertigo related to the brainstem may be caused by:
The primary symptom is a sensation that you or the room is moving or spinning. With central vertigo, there are usually other symptoms from the condition causing the vertigo. Symptoms can include:
The spinning sensation may cause nausea and vomiting in some people.
Signs and testsA physical exam may reveal:
Tests to determine the cause of vertigo may include:
Medications to treat peripheral vertigo may include:
Benign positional vertigo is most often treated with physical maneuvers that help reposition small structures in the semicircular canals of the inner ear. This reduces or stops the vertigo.
The cause of central vertigo should be identified and treated as appropriate.
Try to avoid head positions that cause vertigo. Use caution in situations such as driving, walking, or operating heavy equipment. Even short episodes of vertigo may be dangerous.
Expectations (prognosis)The outcome depends on the cause.
ComplicationsPersistent, unrelieved vertigo can interfere with driving, work, and lifestyle. It can also cause falls, which can lead to many injuries, including hip fractures.
Calling your health care providerCall for an appointment with your health care provider if vertigo is persistent or troublesome.
ReferencesBaloh RW. Hearing and equilibrium. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 454.
Bauer CA, Jenkins HA. Otologic symptoms and syndromes. In: Cummings CW, Flint PW, Haughey BH, et al., eds. Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2005; chap 126.
Vertigo is a sensation of motion or spinning that is often described as dizziness.
Vertigo is not the same as light-headedness. People with vertigo feel as though they are actually spinning or moving, or that the world is spinning around them.
Alternative NamesPeripheral vertigo; Central vertigo
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsThere are two types of vertigo:
Vertigo related to the areas in the inner ear that control balance (vestibular labyrinth or semicircular canals) may be caused by:
Vertigo related to the problems with vestibular nerve may be caused by:
Vertigo related to the brainstem may be caused by:
The primary symptom is a sensation that you or the room is moving or spinning. The spinning sensation may cause nausea and vomiting in some people.
Other symptoms can include:
If you have vertigo due to problems in the brain (central vertigo), you will usually other symptoms from the underlying conditions. They may include:
A physical exam may reveal:
Tests to determine the cause of vertigo may include:
Medications to treat peripheral vertigo may include:
The cause of any brain disorder causing vertigo should be identified and treated when possible.
Persistent balance problems may improve with physical therapy. To prevent worsening of symptoms during episodes of vertigo, try the following:
You may need help walking when symptoms occur. Avoid hazardous activities such as driving, operating heavy machinery, and climbing until 1 week after symptoms have disappeared.
Other treatment depends on the cause of the vertigo. Surgery may be suggested in some cases.
Expectations (prognosis)The outcome depends on the cause.
ComplicationsPersistent, unrelieved vertigo can interfere with driving, work, and lifestyle. It can also cause falls, which can lead to many injuries, including hip fractures.
Calling your health care providerCall for an appointment with your health care provider if vertigo is persistent or troublesome.
ReferencesBaloh RW, Jen J. Hearing and equilibrium.In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds.Cecil Medicine. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier; 2011:chap 436.
Bauer CA, Jenkins HA. Otologic symptoms and syndromes. In: Flint PW, Haughey BH, Lund VJ, et al., eds. CummingsOtolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2010:chap 126.
Kerber KO, Baloh RW. Dizziness, vertigo, and hearing loss: Vascular malformations. In: Bradley WG, Daroff RB, Fenichel GM, Jankovic J, eds. Bradley: Neurology in Clinical Practice. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Butterworth Heinemann Elsevier; 2008:chap 18.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 10/30/2011
Luc Jasmin, MD, PhD, Department of Neurosurgery at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, and Department of Anatomy at UCSF, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine and David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
Anxiety disorders and mood disorders aren't the same. Mood disorders include all affective disorders including anxiety disorders.
It depends on what kind of disorders you're talking about. There are mental disorders, muscle disorders, organ disorders, etc. But disorders in general, probably hundreds.
The three main types of learning disorders are reading disorders, mathematics disorders, and disorders of written expression.
The three main types of learning disorders are reading disorders, mathematics disorders, and disorders of written expression
Axis I disorders are predominantly mood disorders while Axis II disorders are personality disorders.
Muscular disorders occur in the muscles while skeletal disorders occur in the bones.
Examples of the mental health problems includes the gender disorders, adjustment disorders and the impulse control disorders.
Vicki Reed has written: 'An introduction to children with language disorders' -- subject(s): Infant, Language Disorders, Language disorders in children, Child 'An introduction to children with language disorders' -- subject(s): Language disorders in children 'An introduction to children with language disorders' -- subject(s): Infant, Language Disorders, Language disorders in children, Child
Kathryn A. Bayles has written: 'Improving function in dementia and other cognitive-linguistic disorders' -- subject(s): Brain Diseases, Cognition disorders, Cognitive disorders, Dementia, Diagnosis, Language disorders, Rehabilitation, Treatment 'Cognitive-communication disorders of dementia' -- subject(s): Cognition disorders, Cognition disorders in old age, Communication Disorders, Communicative disorders in old age, Complications, Dementia, Diagnosis, Etiology, Therapy
He doesn't have any disorders
no
Substance-induced disorders and substance use disorders