Vertigo: Causes, Pathophysiology and Treatments, Animation

Summary

Vertigo is the sensation of spinning or movement, caused by disruptions in the vestibular system, which controls balance. It can result from several conditions, including benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), labyrinthitis, vestibular neuritis, and Ménière's disease. BPPV occurs when dislodged calcium crystals disrupt the inner ear's fluid movement, causing dizziness. Labyrinthitis and vestibular neuritis result from viral infections, leading to vertigo and hearing loss. Ménière’s disease involves fluid buildup in the inner ear, affecting both balance and hearing. While vertigo can be distressing, treatments and therapies often provide relief and support recovery.

Takeaways

• 😀 Vertigo is a sensation of spinning or movement, often caused by conditions affecting the body's balance system, known as the vestibular system.
• 😀 The vestibular system consists of sensory organs in the inner ear and processing centers in the brain that help maintain balance.
• 😀 The vestibular system includes 3 semicircular canals that detect head rotations and 2 otolithic organs that sense head position and motion.
• 😀 The fluid in the semicircular canals (endolymph) moves when the head turns, activating sensory neurons that send information to the brain.
• 😀 The otolithic organs contain crystals that help detect head orientation relative to gravity.
• 😀 The vestibulocochlear nerve transmits vestibular information to the brain, where it is interpreted to maintain balance.
• 😀 Common causes of vertigo include benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), inner ear infections, and Ménière's disease.
• 😀 BPPV occurs when calcium carbonate crystals become dislodged and disrupt the normal fluid movement in the semicircular canals, causing vertigo.
• 😀 BPPV symptoms can be triggered by specific movements and can resolve on their own, but a therapy called particle repositioning procedure can help.
• 😀 Labyrinthitis and vestibular neuritis are conditions caused by viral infections of the inner ear, leading to vertigo and hearing loss (in labyrinthitis).
• 😀 Ménière's disease causes high fluid pressure in the inner ear, affecting both balance and hearing, with symptoms including ear fullness, ringing, fluctuating hearing, and vertigo.

Q & A

What is vertigo, and what causes it?

Vertigo is a sensation where you or your surroundings feel like they are moving or spinning. It is not a disease but a symptom of issues affecting the body's balance system, the vestibular system, which includes sensory organs in the inner ear and brain processing centers.

How does the vestibular system work?

The vestibular system includes three semicircular canals and two otolithic organs in the inner ear. These structures help detect head rotations and positions in relation to gravity. The movement of fluid in the semicircular canals activates sensory neurons, sending information to the brain about body balance.

What are the most common causes of vertigo?

The most common causes of vertigo include benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), infections or inflammation of the inner ear or vestibular nerve, and Ménière’s disease.

What is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)?

BPPV occurs when calcium carbonate crystals in the otolithic organs become dislodged and get trapped in one of the semicircular canals. This disrupts the fluid movement and sends incorrect signals to the brain, causing vertigo symptoms, including dizziness and nausea.

How can BPPV be treated?

BPPV can often be treated with a therapy called particle repositioning procedure, which involves a series of head movements to move the dislodged crystals back to their normal position in the inner ear.

What are the symptoms of labyrinthitis and vestibular neuritis?

Both labyrinthitis and vestibular neuritis involve inflammation of the inner ear structures. Symptoms include sudden, severe vertigo, nausea, and vision changes. Labyrinthitis also causes hearing problems due to the involvement of the cochlea, while vestibular neuritis affects balance alone.

How are labyrinthitis and vestibular neuritis treated?

Labyrinthitis and vestibular neuritis often improve gradually over several weeks. Some patients recover completely, while others may need vestibular rehabilitation exercises to help restore balance and vestibular function.

What is Ménière's disease, and what are its symptoms?

Ménière's disease is a condition caused by abnormally high fluid pressure in the inner ear, affecting both balance and hearing. Symptoms include ear pressure, ringing, fluctuating hearing loss, and episodes of vertigo that can last from minutes to hours.

Is there a cure for Ménière's disease?

There is no cure for Ménière's disease, and its cause is unknown. However, symptoms often improve over time, and various treatments can help manage the symptoms.

How does the vestibular system communicate with the brain?

Vestibular information is transmitted from the sensory organs in the inner ear through the vestibulocochlear nerve to various centers in the brain. The brain processes this information to help maintain balance and coordination.