Vertigo Diagnosis and Management

Vertigo is a term that is often used to describe a sensation of spinning, whirling, dizziness, unsteadiness or lightheadedness. Classic vertigo, however, is characterized by a feeling of the body spinning or whirling or of ones surroundings spinning.

Dr. Manduca has a special interest in the diagnosis and management of vertigo.

Vertigo may be caused by a variety of health conditions, some simple and benign and some very serious. A careful and thorough in-office physical examination can usually provide enough clinical information to find the exact cause of the vertigo and to direct a treatment strategy.

While Dr. Manduca is trained to diagnose the various types of vertigo, he actively treats two types:

  1. Benign proximal positional vertigo (BPPV, postural vertigo) and
  2. Cervicogenic vertigo (cervical vertigo)

If another condition exists, Dr. Manduca will refer you to an appropriate health care professional.

Common types of vertigo
  1. BPPV (Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo) / postural vertigo
    as its name states, it is a benign condition caused by a dysfunction in position sense (proprioceptive) microscopic hairs in the inner ear.
  2. Cervicogenic / cervical vertigo
    is caused by irritation of one or more of the top three spinal nerves often because of cervical spinal joint dysfunction.
  3. Labryinthitis
    is caused by inflammation of the inner ear, most commonly secondary to a viral infection and much less commonly to a bacterial infection.
  4. Meniere's Disease
    an inner ear condition characterized by: a) vertigo / dizziness, b) hearing loss and c) tinnitus (ringing in the ears) often a diet low in sodium (salt) may help this condition
  5. Vestibular Neuronitis / Neuritis
    describes an inflammation of the vestibular nerve, the nerve that travels from the inner ear and carries information to the balance centres of the brain

Much less common causes:

  1. Tumors
  2. Cerebrovascular problems