Vertigo vs Dizziness: Understanding the Difference

Posted On: June 19, 2024 by Robert Matijevich

When you get dizzy, it’s scary because you feel lost and worried about why it is happening. It is crucial, though, to differentiate between just feeling dizzy and being affected by vertigo, as the two have distinct causes as well as various treatment options available for them. We at Mossy Creek Rehab are well-versed in assisting people in comprehending these issues and coping with them appropriately.

We will now discuss the nuances of vertigo, determining its causes and effects, and the most appropriate medical responses that include the very successful vestibular therapy for vertigo.

What is vertigo, and why is it not just dizziness?

Do you feel like you or your environment is moving? Do you feel like things are spinning around you? That is vertigo, unlike the kind of general dizziness that makes you feel faint or shaky – vertigo is marked by a definite spinning or tilting sensory experience. It can severely affect your equilibrium and hinder your day-to-day activities.

Understanding whether it is dizziness or vertigo is crucial because the underlying causes and treatments differ. While general dizziness can result from dehydration, low blood sugar, or sudden movements, vertigo is often linked to issues within the inner ear or brain.

Common Symptoms of Vertigo

If vertigo symptoms are identified, they can be differentiated from general dizziness. These include:

• A spinning or tilting sensation
• Nausea or vomiting
• Balance problems
• Sweating
• Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
• Abnormal eye movements

You may experience these symptoms in varying intensities and durations, ranging between seconds and hours. Seek medical advice if you keep having these symptoms so as to ascertain their actual cause.

Vertigo Causes: What Triggers This Condition?

A better approach to controlling and preventing vertigo episodes is to first understand their causes. These can include the following:

• Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): This occurs when tiny calcium particles (canaliths) clump up in the inner ear canals, causing brief, intense episodes of vertigo when you move your head.
• Meniere’s Disease: A disorder of the inner ear that leads to vertigo, tinnitus, and hearing loss. It’s associated with abnormal fluid buildup in the inner ear.
• Vestibular Neuritis or Labyrinthitis: Inflammation of the inner ear or the nerves connecting the inner ear to the brain can cause vertigo.
• Migraines: Some individuals experience vertigo as part of their migraine symptoms.

Determining the most effective vertigo treatment necessitates identifying the specific cause of your vertigo.

Who Is More Prone to Have Vertigo?

Vertigo can affect anyone, but certain factors may increase your risk. These include:

• Age: People over the age of 60 are more likely to experience vertigo.
• Gender: Women are more prone to developing vertigo than men.
• Family History: A family history of vertigo or balance disorders can increase your risk.
• Head Injuries: Previous head trauma can contribute to vertigo.
• Other Medical Conditions: Conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease can increase the risk of vertigo.

Effective Vertigo Treatment Options

The primary treatment method for vertigo is to treat its root cause and make sure its symptoms are destroyed. These are some top-rated options:

• Medication: Depending on the cause, vertigo symptoms can be relieved by drugs such as antihistamines, anticholinergics, and anti-nausea drugs.
• Canalith Repositioning Maneuvers: For BPPV, specific head movements can help move the calcium particles out of the inner ear canals, reducing vertigo episodes.
• Vestibular Therapy for Vertigo: Physical therapy that is specialized on this issue emphasizes repairing balance and the reduction of dizziness through exercises that are aimed at retraining the inner ear and the brain. At Mossy Creek Rehab, there is a team of expert physical therapists who will come up with customized plans for vestibular therapy that will see you get back your balance and faith in yourself.
• Lifestyle Modifications: In order to prevent episodes of dizziness, it may be useful to stay hydrated, forego alcoholic drinks, as well as manage stress. If individuals have Meniere’s, they might have to consider a low-salt diet so as not to accumulate liquids within their inner part of the ear.

Vestibular Therapy for Vertigo: A Game-Changer

Vestibular training for vertigo is one of the cornerstones of efficient treatment. These exercises are meant to boost steadiness, diminish dizziness while also helping the brain interpret signals coming from the inner ear. With regard to vestibular therapies at Mossy Creek Rehab, they have been individualized so as to meet individual needs and also those specific objectives, thus entailing the most efficient care possible.
Patients undergoing vestibular therapy typically experience:

• Improved balance and coordination
• Reduced frequency and severity of vertigo episodes
• Better ability to perform daily activities
• Increased confidence and quality of life

Our therapists include effective head, body, and eye exercises to adapt the brain to the vertigo changes that accompany it. The exercises can be performed either at the clinic or at home, making the treatment option accessible and flexible.

Conclusion

If individuals can identify the symptoms as well as the causes of vertigo, they will be ready to deal with it. Mossy Creek Rehab assists individuals in controlling vertigo by offering different comprehensive vertigo treatment options, including vestibular therapy. Mossy Creek Rehab’s staff works hard to make sure that all patients get top-standard care services while tailoring such services to their needs.

Individuals can improve their general well-being, thereby embarking on a steady, symptom-free life, by distinguishing between dizziness and vertigo. And we want to help you!