What types of vertigo are there?

Definition

As dizziness refers to the symptom that is caused by different information from the eyes, the sensory organs in the ears and the position sensors from muscles and joints to the brain to be delivered. The distorted perception that can be caused by underlying diseases in the organs involved results in dizziness. In medical jargon, the dizziness becomes too Vertigo called.

introduction

In the case of dizziness, a number of different causes can be distinguished. In addition, the cause can lead to a certain form of dizziness. Therefore, different types of vertigo are distinguished. A fundamental distinction is also made between unsystematic and systematic vertigo.

Dizziness can also be divided into different age groups, as it affects not only middle-aged people but also older people and children. Read about this:

• Dizziness in old age

Symptoms dizziness

Of the dizziness is for many sufferers very uncomfortable and often not controllable. In the different types of vertigo, vertigo can manifest itself slightly differently, but in general there are other similar complaints in addition to the dizziness. In which Vertigo is particularly characteristic that the Patients feel as if they are driving a carousel or the environment is turning. Through the various pieces of information that the brain derives from what it sees and what Organ of equilibrium in the inner ear has to process, a discrepancy arises, which in many patients a severe nausea trigger. In addition, vertigo often occurs with the vertigo Nystagmus on. This is a rapid return movement of the eyeswhich initially follow the direction of rotation, but then align themselves straight ahead. This effect is also observed when driving a train and is then physiological.

With some Inner ear disease the effect may not be normal and thus also indicate a pathological disorder of the inner ear. In extreme cases it can also be Vomit come. At Meniere's disease can it to an increased feeling of pressure in the ear come. Ringing in the ear can also occur in this context. One then speaks of one Tinnitus, at the same time one Hearing loss occurs.

The process is similar Vertigo. Here the patients suffer from the feeling that the Soil or they themselves fluctuate greatly. From this one develops Unsteady gait with a tendency to fall. Those affected can often no longer stand safely and need help walking. This also increases the risk of falling and the risk of the patient being injured. Since the vertigo is often also a psychological cause can also be a result of stress or anxiety Drowsiness occur. The patient becomes real black before the eyes and they can lose consciousness. It also occurs strong feelings of fear, fainting, and panic on. The dizziness occurs frequently seizure so that those affected have no control over it and can catch the vertigo attack. Depending on the severity of the vertigo and its duration, it can severely limit the patient's everyday life. It is a bigger burden.

In a Vertigo clinic, a special consultation hour for the symptoms of vertigo, the cause of the vertigo can be determined through various examinations.

Systematic dizziness

Systematic dizziness is the dizziness caused by Diseases or problems in the organ of equilibrium, in the brain stem or in parts of the cerebellum can be caused. This vertigo is usually accompanied by the feeling that the world is turning around you.

Unsystematic dizziness

With this type of dizziness it lies Problem outside the equilibrium organ of the ear. The patients feel uncomfortable and can also dazed feel.

Vertigo

Of the Vertigo can as sudden attack or as a long-lasting symptom occur. Hence the vertigo is also called Attack dizziness designated. It only lasts most of the time a few seconds or at most a few minutes. At this moment the patient has the impression that the environment is rotating. The Direction of vertigo can do it counterclockwise or clockwise respectively. In addition to the very uncomfortable dizziness, you can still nausea and Vomit occur. Often there is also one in the eyes involuntary movement against or with the direction of rotation. One speaks of one Nystagmus, one rhythmic return movement of the eyes. Nystagmus can also provide information about the cause of dizziness.

Causes of vertigo

One of the most common causes of vertigo is the disease Meniere's disease. Meniere's disease is one Inner ear disease. The actual cause of the disease is not yet fully understood, but it will be Obstruction of the outflow of the endolymph supposed. This disturbance leads to an increased accumulation of fluid in the endolymphatic space. In addition to the Increase in pressure in the inner earcaused by the increase in volume, there is a change in the composition of the endolymph to a Excitation of the auditory nerve. This in turn leads to the Dizziness. In younger patients, vertigo may also be associated with a migraine stand.

Positional vertigo

Another form of vertigo is that Positional vertigo. This is also a attack-like dizzinessthat starts as soon as the Position, especially of the head and upper body, changed becomes. The dizziness often only lasts short time on. Most of the time the symptoms disappear again when the change in position is carried out and the body is kept calm again. This hoax is also called benign paroxysmal positional vertigo referred to, where benign For benign and paroxysmal for the sudden occurrence stands. In general, this is a hoax too harmless, but very much for the affected patient unpleasant. The disease occurs most often between the ages of 50 and 60 on. Older people are more likely to be affected.

Causes of positional vertigo

This exists in the inner ear Balance organ from three differently oriented semicircular canals. In the semicircular canals there is one gelatinous liquid, the so-called Cupula, the Ear stones. They are called Otoliths designated. These are small crystals that are used in the deflection of the gelatinous dome and in the consequent excitation of the Hair cells play an important role. For various reasons, for example that advanced age, these otoliths can detach from their original movement. If the position of the head is changed, the position of the semicircular canals also changes and the free ear stones slide into the lowest point. In doing so, the fluid is moved in the semicircular canals, which in turn means that the associated hair cells are also deflected. You then direct faulty excitations to the brain. So is at Change of position also the Change of position of the otoliths provokes and dizziness often occurs again. Why the ear stones peel off in old age is not yet fully understood. Possible causes can besides Inflammation in the inner ear also traumatic accidents be, Sports injuries or Injuries to the head. Similar to vertigo, there is also a vertigo when charging Rotary motion of the environment.

Vertigo

Of the Vertigo is also known as Lightheadedness denotes and usually goes hand in hand with a sudden insecurity when walking and standing. Patients report feeling that they or the ground underfoot are swaying. Here too, the dizziness usually only lasts few seconds. This creates a high tendency to fall and the person concerned has an increased risk of falling. Often this form of dizziness is also more pronounced nausea and Vomit accompanied.

Causes of postural vertigo

Dem Vertigo can have various causes. On the one hand, one suspects strong muscle tension in the upper or lower area of ​​the body. On the other hand, the dizziness can also psychological causes to have. The tense muscles often affect the upper body Neck, forehead and eye area. Especially in the neck it can be caused by a Poor posture when sitting there is pronounced muscular tension, which can also affect the surrounding muscles. As a result, patients often also take one incorrect posture of the head one and tilt it to one side. Over time, attempts are made to compensate for this position by contracting the muscles on the opposite side.

Of the phobic postural vertigo often goes hand in hand with Anxiety and psychological distress. Accordingly, he also occurs particularly frequently in stressful situations on. He will because of this, too Fear dizziness called and affects more often Women over the age of 30. Other reasons for this form of dizziness can also be traumatic experiences in the past, one acute depression or one known severe anxiety disorder be. Patients often develop one as a result of the attacks of dizziness Afraid of the dizziness itself. This ultimately leads to a vicious circle of posturing vertigo more often, as the situation can be very stressful even for the patient.

Central dizziness

The central one dizziness usually has various diseases as the cause, in which the Brain itself impaired is. These include Brain tumors, Meningitis (meningitis), Craniocerebral trauma or also a stroke. With the diseases mentioned, damage to the brain leads to dizziness, which is often accompanied by other symptoms such as Numbness of the face or extremities, visual disturbances or even speech disorders is accompanied. Depending on the underlying illness, the dizziness can be briefly for a few seconds to minutes occur or, as with a stroke, for Hours to days last for. The central dizziness is often due to the possible causes intensively medically monitored and treated.

therapy

The dizziness can have various causes. Accordingly, there are also various therapeutic approaches to alleviate the patient's symptoms. In order for the vertigo to be treated correctly, the causes should first be clarified beforehand. Only then can a successful therapy be carried out.

If Menière's disease is present in the case of vertigo or if the inner ear is inflamed, medication can be used first to reduce the symptoms of nausea and vomiting. These medicines are called Anivertiginosa designated. They can help the patient temporarily, but they do not address the root cause of the dizziness. Physiotherapy is very often included in the treatment. It is used to loosen tense muscles and helps patients to better deal with dizziness. The dizziness can be resolved through targeted movements, the balance is strengthened and the person concerned can regain more security.

Physiotherapy is used particularly frequently for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. Different exercises can be performed depending on which semicircular canal of the equilibrium organ is affected by a disorder. Usually this will reduce dizziness, but you may feel sick during the exercise. To avoid this, it is recommended that the patient keep his eyes closed and let himself be completely guided by the doctor.

Read more on this topic: Vertigo therapy or medication for vertigo

Sémont maneuvers

In this exercise, the patient initially sits upright in front of the doctor. His head is in a 45 degree turn. The diseased side should now point towards the doctor. The doctor now spontaneously shifts the patient into the lateral position. The head should remain in the same position. After two to three minutes, the patient is finally shifted 180 degrees to the other side. Again, it is important that the Head position not changed becomes. The patient remains in this position for a few minutes and is then brought into the original position. The aim of these exercises is to be possible to bring detached otholites back into their original positionso that they no longer cause dizziness can.

Epley maneuvers

The patient sits upright in front of the doctor with his legs stretched out. The head is turned 45 degrees to the diseased side. This means the healthy side points towards the doctor. The doctor now quickly and spontaneously places the patient on his back. The patient's head should now hang down at the other end of the table. In this position one should now Improvement in dizziness and eye movements (Nystagmus) to adjust. When the symptoms have subsided, the patient turns their head 90 degrees and remains in this position for a few minutes. Then the patient is turned on the healthy side. The ear should adjust to the new position again before the patient is brought back into the upright position.