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:
- Benign proximal positional vertigo (BPPV, postural vertigo) and
- Cervicogenic vertigo (cervical vertigo)
If another condition exists, Dr. Manduca will refer you to an appropriate health care professional.
Common types of vertigo
- 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. - Cervicogenic / cervical vertigo
is caused by irritation of one or more of the top three spinal nerves often because of cervical spinal joint dysfunction. - Labryinthitis
is caused by inflammation of the inner ear, most commonly secondary to a viral infection and much less commonly to a bacterial infection. - 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 - 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:
- Tumors
- Cerebrovascular problems