May 12, 2008
What is Vertigo?
Posted by: Dave : Category: Vertigo Information
First of all, just to make things clear, Vertigo is a symptom, not a disease. It refers to the sensation of spinning, which often occurs as a result of a disturbance in balance (equilibrium). The term vertigo may also be used to describe any feelings of unsteadiness, dizziness, faintness, and lightheadedness.
There are many types of Vertigo, but the two main types are listed below.
Subjective Vertigo
Subjective Vertigo is the sensation of movement. Sufferers of subjective vertigo will often feel that their body is revolving in space.
Objective Vertigo
Objective Vertigo on the other hand is the perception of movement in surrounding objects.
Other types of Vertigo
- Vestibular vertigo - Vertigo caused by disturbances of the vestibular system
- Cerebral vertigo – A type that often results from a brain lesion
- Ocular vertigo – A form caused by eye disease
- Labyrinthine vertigo – Vertigo that is often associated with Meniere’s disease
- Positional / Postural vertigo – Vertigo associated with changes in the position of the head in space or triggered by a specific position of the head
- Disabling positional vertigo – Constant derangement of the sense of equilibrium and positional vertigo often causing nausea when the head is in an upright position
- Cervical vertigo – Vertigo which is often caused by an injury to the neck
- Alternobaric vertigo – A transient vertigo which sometimes affects those who are subjected to large, rapid variations in barometric pressure
May 18th, 2008 at 9:12 pm
i have had this for 3 years and went to a
specialist,physio and a chiropractor still no help if anyone has suggestions please let me know thanx
May 31st, 2008 at 8:56 pm
shelby please read my latest post, good luck =)
August 12th, 2008 at 2:38 am
I’m 28 and have had vertigo since I was in college. But recently my symptoms have worsen, before whenever I would have an ‘episode’ i would feel as though my surroundings were the one spinning, but these past days it feels as though my body is flipping over. Yesterday, I collapsed as I felt my legs were flipping over my head. The floor seemed to be flipping over me, it was spinning rapidly from top to bottom.
I went to a doctor and they said my eyes and ears are both ok. I am not sure what I should do, or what tests should I take to diagnose/cure my condition. Would appreciate any help you can give.
October 20th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
You have exactly the same symptoms that I had at the same age. Have you had an MRI to check if there is any problem in the cerebellum? The cause of my vertigo was a benign tumor in the part of the cerebellum that processes balance signals.
Also, does niacin help the symptoms? This is another clue that you could have central vertigo rather than peripheral vertigo.
November 15th, 2008 at 11:47 am
I suffered a vertigo eight years ago as a side-effect of having Cushing’s Disease.
It was the most debilitating symptom of all since,over a period of months, it rendered me completely unable to walk unaided.
The only relief was when I was lying flat in bed.
The vertigo slowly receded post-operatively, but took about 18months – 2 years to regain good balance.
December 14th, 2008 at 10:36 pm
I was in a severe semi truck accident in 8/2007, which threw me in the passenger side when we came to a stop.Broken right arm, and after 1 1/2 years now one night I felt something pop in my neck while turning over and I had severe vomiting and dizziness for one full day. After that no naseau however when I lay down, more on my right side I feel the dizziness for a few moments until I sit up and I cannot get up from a chair quickly. Have gone to chiropractor and waiting to see a neck and spine dr before I am released from WC. any ideas?
February 18th, 2009 at 7:04 am
Im 15 and I have had vertigo for 2 years.
It usually gets me down at least once a year, (right now) and when I wake up the dizzyness hits me. It makes me SICK. I don’t know if vertigo causes side pains, but I did have those last night. Im nauseated also.
April 12th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
Is there any special diet if you have vertigo? Is it true that a person with this kind of sickness should not take fruits and vegetables? Thank you.
July 9th, 2009 at 4:30 am
Sometimes when I’m trying to sleep on my back I feel like my body is floating back five feet and then forward five feet. It looks like I have a case of subjective vertigo. I never had this problem before I became accustomed to sleeping on air matresses strangely enough. I’ll be going to school in Germany soon, so I’ll what changes with my sleep over there after I abandon the air matress. Hopefully it’ll be heavier, deeper, and more relaxing.
July 9th, 2009 at 5:28 am
I’m also going to try yoga and see what happens.
October 16th, 2009 at 8:00 pm
I have had vertigo for 6 months. when looking up at objects the dizzyness starts. lasts for 20 seconds. after leveling my eyes straight ahead again, symtoms ease ,then clear.DR.perscribed meclizine 12.5mg with no help.I dont experience any sickness ,but headaches are very common, almost daily.Any one with similar symtoms, with successful treatment,your comments would be appreciated. thank you
November 27th, 2009 at 11:47 pm
I am 37 years old and was diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome in 2004. I have been suffering with severe vertigo for the past two years. But it is not typical vertigo I do not spin I flip and it causes me to fall. If I move my head just slightly I feel like my feet hit the ceiling no matter if I am sitting standing or laying down. It even wakes me up at night. I feel its the low blood pressure causing it. Any opinions out there. I need help I have already severely injured myself falling down my basement stairs. Where I ended up having surgery to repair my tore up shoulder. I am desperate please help.
February 11th, 2010 at 6:03 pm
I am 80 years old, have suffered with severe vertigo, completely disabling me when attacks occur. I also lost 40% of hearing in right ear. Went thru all the tests & determined it to be caused by an inner ear infection or disorder of some kind but nothing definite could be learned after hospitalized, tests run, etc. octors had no answer other than meclazine and ginger and possibly some drugs I didn’t want to take. Many natural remedies tried which lowered the intensity but not the cure. Episodes became more numerous and sometimes daily and then twice daily. I lucked upon a friend at church who told me he had the same problem since childhood and now 82 years old. His grandson, a chiropractor suggested this all natural product, two small pills taken once a day, which stopped his severe attacks immediately & he hasn’t had an attack since. I excitedly asked him to get me a bottle and although I have been taking them only 3 weeks, they stopped immediatly for me as well. I am thrilled, needless to say, and greatly relieved of the terror when driving or in public when an attack occurs. I am anxious to get the message out to those who also suffer. I probably can’t name a product here so I will gladly pass the info on if you want to contact me off line at papajoeu@aol.com. I can’t guarantee it will work for you but there are numerous other health benefits as well, so nothing lost.
My best,
Joe
April 7th, 2010 at 5:48 am
i suffer from head spining, also feels as if am floating. This condition started after the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism.
April 21st, 2010 at 6:58 pm
Hi, I have been suffering for over 2 years with vertigo! My whole life has come to a stop. One morning i woke up and was spinning i could not even walk. Was in bed for several day’s i could not even lift my head up with out spinning. Finally i tried to make it down the stairs and fell. My husband finally took me to the emergency room. They preformed M.R.I and Cat-scan. Normal.Diagnosed me with Positional vertigo.Gave me meds for nausea. Went to E.N.T. did the menuvor for a few weeks. My vertigo never went away. So i went to my Neurologist.He recommended me to one of the best E.N.T. in Boston. We drove 3 hours to see him he proformed some test. Needless to say he said my ears are fine! Bottom line i have every test you could imagine from heart, blocked artery,Endocrinologist,you name it i have had it done.I lost my job. I use to run 5 miles a day i even fear driving my car.I constantly cancel appointments.It is with me all the time. I feel funny. The vertigo hits me when i move my head. It is worse in the morning. Can you please help me. I am so depressed. I really am trying to live with it but it is so difficult. People don’t understand unless they have vertigo.I can’t get any answers from my doctors. They tried water pills,seizure meds,antidepressant, valium,compozine, you name it i tried it.Any one with any feed back would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for listening. Wendy
May 4th, 2010 at 10:04 am
My mother has sufferred from Vertigo all her life. As i read these stories and hear your symptoms-i am reminded of the numerous phonecalls I have received from strangers who found my mother passed out in the street. This vertigo is very debillitating. We have done many examines and have come up with nothing. They use to happen once every six months but now (she is 62) they are very frequent. I am taking her to a nuerologist this week. Fingers crossed. I wish he had some ansewers. It is very frustating for her and her children. I worry about her constantly and can’t allow her to go anywhere alone.
June 11th, 2010 at 2:27 pm
Thank you so much for all your information.I live in Trinidad and have had afew bad experiences with doctors’ diagnosies and subsequent operations.We have an excellent homepathic guy here in the person of Dr. Hari Ramnarine…his studies and equipment come from Germany….however to get an appointment can take months.
Recently because I am now 65 years old, I decided to try an Executive Medical…complete with heart and brain scan, blood work etc…..disaster!!!
It left me with this on going Vertigo condition..and the fact that I have no idea when it would come on.
My sister lives in Houston and sent a vial of Motion Eaze..made up of oils of Lavender,peppermint,birch,frankincense,chamomile,myrrh, and ylang-ylang…..you rub this on the soft part of the neck behind the ear every two hoursfor three days…this gave me the relief needed other than using the doctors prescription of Stemetil which I did not wish to get hooked on.
I am open to all other NON DRUG ideas.
Sincerely
anthony.
June 30th, 2010 at 12:01 pm
Hi, I’ve just found this site and I find it very helpful, my question is on one type of vertigo that I don’t think is listed here.
My girlfriends has a passion for music, she plays the violin and other instruments, but ever since she was a little girl she has had vertigo problems, the Dr. in Puerto Rico (were she resides) have told he that it is caused by sounds, they’ve instructed her to quit music all together and she has fallen into a deep depresion because of this, They have told her there is no cure for this type of vertigo, but I’m not ready to give up, If you have any info on this I would greatly apreciate it thank you very much
Sincerely
Julian.
July 2nd, 2010 at 8:26 am
sir ihave a positional vertigo like 4 years now i cuuid not drive there is any treatment for the vertigo it will cure or not. can i drive after the treatment.because mostly m.b.b.s doctor told me that it will not cure no more way for cure so pls send me reply sir where can i get treatment in india