Vertigo (patient information): Difference between revisions
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==Prevention of vertigo== | ==Prevention of vertigo== | ||
Vertigo is a symptom of many diseases, the preventive measurements depends on the underlying causes. | |||
:*Keep a healthy life-style, such as eat a low-lipid diet, do regular exercises. | |||
:*Avoidance [[infection]] in the ears or head | |||
:*Avoidance injuries in the ears, neck or head | |||
==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?== | ==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?== | ||
Revision as of 20:26, 24 March 2010
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What is vertigo?
How do I know if I have vertigo?
Patients with vertigo may experience one or more following symptons.
- A sensation of disorientation or motion or the perception that surrounding objects are moving or spinning
- Lightheadedness
- Imbalance
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sweat
- Abnormal eye movements
- Tinnitus or hearing loss
Who is at risk for vertigo?
- Upper respiratory tract infection
- Ear infection
- Labyrinthitis
- Head or ear injury
- Multiple sclerosis
- Epilepsy
- Neck injuries
- Migraine
- Ménière's disease
- Acoustic neuroma
- Brain stem tumors
- Nasopharyngeal carcinoma
- Stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA)
How to know you have vertigo?
The goal of the tests is to identify the cause of vertigo. It is important to rule out serious conditions such as stroke ortumor.
- Medical history and physical examination
- Vestibular function testing: Vestibular function testing includes a series of tests, such as earth-vertical axis rotational testing, caloric testing and head-only rotational testing. The purpose of vestibular function testing is to objectively and quantitatively assess the status of the vestibular system. Some techniques may provide information regarding peripheral vestibular function while others focus on central processing.
- Hearing testing: Hearing testing is a means of evaluating an individual's overall hearing function and help diagnose the cause of vertigo. The tests are used to determine if there is something wrong with the hearing portion of the inner ear. They are often used as an initial screening. They are sometimes used in conjunction with vestibular testing to diagnose specific disorders, such as Meniere's disease.
- Neurological examination: The neurological examination is the physical examination of the nervous system. It attempts to identify or exclude nervous system disease and to produce a likely anatomical or physiological explanation that can be tested through medical imaging, blood tests or a combination.
- Blood tests, including complete blood count, blood gas analysis: These tests may help doctors know whether there is any inflammation in your body and may supply clues for the diagnosis.
- X-ray tests in chest and neck: These x-ray tests may used to detect whether there is any pathological change in your chest and neck, and whether it is related to your vertigo.
- Imaging tests, such as CT scan and MRI scan in head or cervical spine: These images help to exclude serious conditions in your brain, such as stroke ortumor and help find the cause of your vertigo.
When to seek urgent medical care?
See your doctor immediately if you experience vertigo with any of the following:
- A new, different or severe headache
- Fever
- Diplopia or loss of vision
- Hearing loss
- Trouble in speaking
- Leg or arm weakness or paralysis, especially in one side
- Loss of consciousness
- Difficulty walking
- Numbness
Treatment options
Treatment of vertigo depends on the underlying causes.
- Treat tne underlying causes, such as surgery for brain tumor, radiation therapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma, antibiotics for ear infection.
- Control or relieve the symptom of vertigo, medications such as meclizine hydrochloride, promethazine hydrochloride, scopolamine transdermal patch and diphenhydramine.
Similar symptoms
Where to find medical care for dwarfism?
Directions to Hospitals Treating vertigo
Prevention of vertigo
Vertigo is a symptom of many diseases, the preventive measurements depends on the underlying causes.
- Keep a healthy life-style, such as eat a low-lipid diet, do regular exercises.
- Avoidance infection in the ears or head
- Avoidance injuries in the ears, neck or head
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
The prognosis of vertigo depends on the causes. Outcomes of vertigo caused by tumors are poorer than any other causes.
Copyleft Sources
http://www.neurologychannel.com/vertigo/index.shtml
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/vertigo/article_em.htm
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vertigo/DS00534
http://www.healthscout.com/ency/68/462/main.html
http://www.neurologychannel.com/vertigo/symptoms.shtml