The main organ that provides balance in the human body is the vestibular system in the inner ear. This system transmits the state information it receives to the balance center in the brain stem and cerebellum, contributing to the coordination of eye movements during head movements, maintaining body posture and directing muscle movements. In other words, together with the vestibular system, vestibulo-ocular reflexes and vestibulo-spinal system are important parts of balance. Disorders arising from the central nervous system, disruptions in the conduction system or disturbances in the perception of stimuli appear as balance disorders. Balance disorder (vertigo) is usually seen together with nausea, vomiting, pallor, circulatory and respiratory disorders.
Vertigo can be in the acute form that occurs suddenly, or it can be chronic for a long time. Vertigo refers to causes and situations that vary according to the way it is perceived. Sometimes it can be seen that patients describe their sudden fainting sensations as vertigo.
Causes of vertigo:
Let’s briefly touch on the possible causes of vertigo according to the patient’s feelings and descriptions.
- Sensation of movement that is not really around: It is often described as rotational movement. Peripheral dizziness. There are unstable stimuli originating from the vestibular nuclei in the inner ear and the problem is usually with the inner ear.
- Feeling of being pushed to any side, feeling that your feet are slipping under the ground: Slight imbalance occurs. It usually occurs when there are problems with the central nervous system. It develops when there is degenerative or vascular central nervous system damage.
- Fainting or blackout: It is a state of syncope or presyncope. It usually occurs in cardiovascular system problems. It is likely to occur due to acute decrease in blood supply to the brain.
- Feeling of instability increased by stress: It is generally seen due to central integration problems that occur in psychiatric disorders.
- General feeling of instability: It is more common in older ages. Age-related degeneration occurs in the visual and auditory systems, which are responsible for maintaining balance in the patient. The central nervous system and visual pathways should be examined.
- Imbalance accompanied by sweating and nausea: These symptoms are usually accompanied by problems with the inner ear. There is a discrepancy in visual and vestibular perceptions about balance. Endocrine and inner ear causes should be examined.
In cases where the balance disorder lasts for a few seconds, depending on the position of the body, any other pathology may not be detected. These conditions are called benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. In these cases, auditory problems are not accompanied.
There may also be cases where the patient’s instability lasts for several minutes. Vertebrobasilar insufficiency originating from the central nervous system, migraine or cervical vertigo can generally be seen in this way. A vertigo picture occurs in which hearing problems are not seen.
In Meniere’s disease, vertigo may last for hours and at intervals. However, in Meniere’s disease, the patient also has hearing problems.
In inflammatory conditions such as labyrinthitis and vestibular neuritis, vertigo attacks may occur for days. While hearing problems can be seen in labyrinthitis patients, hearing problems do not occur in vestibular neuritis patients.
There may also be cases where vertigo lasts much longer. Vertigo may occur for months in cases of multiple sclerosis, cerebellar infarction or hemorrhage, and vestibular schwannoma. The difference of vestibular schwannoma is the accompanying hearing impairment.
Neurological problems are rare in dizziness originating from the inner ear. However, symptoms such as sweating, nausea and vomiting may occur.
Hypoglycemia attacks seen in patients with iron deficiency anemia, vitamin B12 deficiency, hyperthyroidism or diabetes can also cause dizziness. However, if these deficiencies are corrected, the dizziness will pass. Similarly, in hypotension attacks, symptoms are expected to regress with fluid intake. However, in case of persistent vertigo, examination and treatment must be done in the hospital environment.
Sometimes extreme heat or motion sickness can cause temporary vertigo. It is observed that vertigo passes with the change of environmental conditions.
Important:
If you experience any kind of dizziness, it would be beneficial to consult your doctor. If you have vision or hearing problems along with vertigo, if you have trouble speaking, if you feel numbness or tingling in your arms and legs, if you have ringing in your ears, if you hear different sounds, if you have a headache or nausea, if you feel any of these symptoms, call 112 or call the nearest emergency room. contact service.
Sit calmly when you feel dizzy. Wait until your dizziness goes away. If you stand, you may fall and hit your head. Avoid sudden movements and try to relax. When picking up something from the ground, squat instead of bending over. Elevate your pillow while sleeping. Take plenty of fluids. Avoid coffee, cigarettes and drugs. Get lots of rest.
When you are dizzy, stay away from them as it will be dangerous to drive, climb stairs and use construction machinery.