Vertigo is a medical condition commonly associated with the feeling that the world or surrounding objects are spinning. This may be related to nausea, vomiting, sweating, or difficulties in walking. The signs of vertigo are barely noticeable, however, at times it may be severe, and the person experiencing it may find it difficult to maintain balance and perform everyday tasks. It usually occurs due to a problem in the inner ear but can also be caused by vision problems and other similar conditions. Vertigo involves the sensation of movement and is medically different from dizziness or lightheadedness. Vertigo can be classified into three different types – objective, subjective, and pseudo vertigo. Objective vertigo is described as the sensation of rotation of the surrounding stationary objects. Subjective vertigo is the feeling that the person himself/herself is spinning. Pseudovertigo is an intense sensation of rotation that the patient feels inside his/her head.

Causes
There are several conditions in the brain and the nervous system that may lead to vertigo.

• Peripheral vertigo occurs due to a disturbance in the balance organs of the inner ear whereas central vertigo results when there is a disruption in parts of the brain known as sensory nerve pathways.
• The most common kind of vertigo is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. This type of vertigo is rarely serious and is caused due to sudden movements of the head in a particular direction.
• Vertigos like labyrinthitis or vestibular neuritis are associated with hearing loss and are caused by inflammation of the inner ear. It primarily occurs due to bacterial infection in the inner ear. The viruses that may cause labyrinthitis are – herpes viruses, influenza, measles, rubella, mumps, polio, hepatitis, and Epstein-Barr virus.
• Acoustic neuroma can cause vertigo related to a type of tumor in the inner ear. Common neck injuries and head trauma may result in cervical vertigo.
• A migraine which is a severe type of a headache may cause vertigo too. This vertigo is normally followed by a migraine, but not always. Complications from diabetes harden the arteries that lower the blood flow to the brain which may lead to vertigo.

Other causes of vertigo include

• Hormonal changes among pregnant women along with low blood pressure.
• Anxiety or panic attacks may also cause vertigo
• Some people may experience vertigo after traveling by ship or boat.
• Many also feel the same after getting out of a plane, car or train.

Symptoms
Vertigo is often triggered due to the change in position of the head. A person with vertigo may feel that the environment or objects around them are moving or rotating, even though there is no movement in reality. Vertigo is itself a symptom, which may cause other symptoms, such as –

• Dizziness or light-headedness
• Difficulty in maintaining balance
• Nausea and vomiting
• A sense of motion sickness
• Tinnitus
• A feeling of fullness in the ear
• Abnormal eye movements

Available vertigo treatment and natural remedies

An extensive range of options are available when it comes to treating the condition. They include self-care remedies, medications, and physical therapy maneuvers. The vertigo treatment depends on the symptoms and what’s causing it. Many situations don’t require any vertigo treatment, as the cerebrum is able to adapt to changes in the inner ear and rely on other mechanisms to maintain balance. Some cases need treatment though –

• Vestibular rehabilitation – Vestibular rehabilitation helps in strengthening the vestibular system. The vestibular system sends signals to the brain about head and body movements relative to gravity. This vertigo treatment is a physical treatment that trains the other senses to compensate for vertigo.
• Canalith repositioning maneuvers – In the case of BPPV, one may perform Canalith repositioning maneuvers; this type of vertigo treatment includes a specific series of head and body movements to get relief. These actions help in moving the calcium deposits into an inner ear chamber which is later absorbed by the body. These movements are safe and show results. Your doctor will guide you throughout the process.
• Medication – If the vertigo is associated with nausea or motion sickness, then the doctor may prescribe certain medications. These medicines are given to relieve symptoms like nausea or motion sickness related to vertigo. In case the vertigo is caused by an infection or inflammation, antibiotics or steroids may be given as part of treatment. These drugs reduce swelling and treat the infection.
• Surgery – If this disease cannot be treated using medication or any other vertigo treatment, then surgery might be required.

One may also consider home remedies as a form of vertigo treatment. Some of these remedies are –

• Ginger root
• Ginkgo Biloba
• Coriander
• Peppermint
• Lavender
• Frankincense

Individuals suffering from vertigo should avoid driving or climbing as vertigo is often associated with the fear of height. By being aware of the condition and the related dos and don’t, the situation can be handled effectively. If the condition is severe and requires medical intervention, it is advisable to seek help and follow through the process.