What is Vertigo?
Vertigo is when you feel as though the environment around you is spinning around, leaving you feeling dizzy, nauseous, and keeping you off-balance. You may be at risk of falling if you’re standing and have a sudden vertigo attack.

Vertigo isn’t a singular disease or condition but is a symptom of other prevailing conditions that affect your balance. It is most commonly caused by an inner ear infection, which affects your balance, among other things; this is known as peripheral vertigo. In rare cases, a brain condition (such as a brain tumour) may be what’s causing the condition; this is called central vertigo.

Your sense of balance is regulated by three sensory systems in the body, one of which is the inner ear. The inner ear contains structures that allow the body to sense position and motion. All three systems work in tandem to maintain your balance. If one of these three systems is disrupted, the other two will keep you balanced. However, if there may be disruptions to how the brain interprets the signals from these systems, it can cause a loss of balance.

 

Signs of a Vertigo Attack
Vertigo attacks may last a very short while, sometimes spanning a few seconds, while some attacks may last for a lot longer. Some people may not even notice the signs (as it can be very mild for some), while others may have it so bad it affects their ability to perform activities of daily living. The general symptoms are:

• When you feel like the world is spinning
• Frequent falls due to a loss of balance
• Difficulty walking in a straight line
• Frequent nausea (and vomiting)

Other symptoms that may be present include:

• Hearing loss in one or both ears
• Tinnitus, or ringing in your ears
• Motion sickness
• Headaches or migraines

 

Why Should You Be Concerned?
The biggest immediate cause for concern is the risk you or your loved one might have of falling. Vertigo causes you to lose all sense of balance as the whole world seems to spin around you, and as such, it’s very likely that you’ll injure yourself. There could be bone fractures, physical trauma, or concussions that could be life-threatening if not attended to immediately – especially for older adults.

Drivers or pedestrians who have sudden vertigo attacks are at particularly great risk. You might end up walking down a busy road, or collapse onto the sidewalk without warning. Not only will you hurt yourself, but you could also inadvertently cause others to be injured as well.

 

What to Do During a Vertigo Attack
If you or your loved one experience a vertigo attack at home, lie down in a dark, quiet room and rest until it goes away. Be sure not to leave any lights on, as a vertigo attack can make a person more sensitive to light, which can exacerbate symptoms. Try to elevate your head with an extra pillow as well. If you need to get up, slowly get up and sit on the edge of the bed for a short while before getting up.

If you’re in a place where you can’t lie down, sit down instead. If you’re driving, pull over at a safe place and take a break until the vertigo subsides. Standing or moving during a vertigo attack increases your risk of falling, which can cause serious physical injuries such as fractured bones.

 

 

 

 

 

Resources : Homage Health
https://www.homage.com.my/health/vertigo-attack-what-to-do/

Date of Input: 25/09/2024 | Updated: 22/10/2024 | aslamiah