Thursday, July 24, 2014

VERTIGO or DIZZINESS or GIDDINESS

VERTIGO

What is vertigo?

Vertigo is a common symptom in patients presenting to neurology outpatient department. It is described as a sense of rotation (rotation of self or of the surroundings). Other terms to describe the same sensation are dizziness, giddiness, chakkar (in Hindi), tala tiragadam (in Telugu), etc.

What are the common symptoms in a patient with vertigo?

The most common feeling is a sense of rotation or imbalance. This feeling becomes more prominent while walking or moving. In some cases, even head or neck movements (such as getting up from lying down position or bending down to pick something) can aggravate the symptoms of dizziness. Other symptoms may include:

·      Nausea,
·      Vomiting,
·      Imbalance while walking,
·      Blurred vision,
·      Poor concentration.

What are the common causes of vertigo?

Vertigo can be caused by a variety of reasons. The more important of them include:

BPPV- benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

·      In this condition, there is a problem in the inner ear. Calcium crystals get deposited in one of the semicircular canals.

·      It can occur in all ages, and is common in adults and in older people. It affects 2.4% of population sometime in their lifetime.

·      It is a benign condition, which means it is not life-threatening and it does not get worse over time,

·      Symptoms are made worse with head or neck movements (positional symptoms),

·      Symptoms occur intermittently,

·      People may get better in 1-2 days, however, in some, it may last for a few months also,

·      Head injury, concussion, migraine, etc may bring on the symptoms of BPPV

·      Diagnosis is made on the basis of history and clinical examination. Hearing and vestibular tests may be helpful.

·      Treatment consists of symptomatic treatment with antihistaminic medications such as betahistine tablets.

·      Canal repositioning procedures done in office are helpful and can cure the condition, however, these procedures should be done by trained doctors,

·      Vestibular adaptation exercises help in prevention of recurrent episodes of vertigo.

·      In refractory cases, there may be a role for ear surgery. 
2
Posterior circulation stroke (Brain stroke)

·      This refers to reduction in blood supply to the back of brain, mainly cerebellum and brain stem.

·      This is more common in people with risk factors for stroke, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, etc.

·      Patients often have additional symptoms such as double vision, slurred speech, difficulty in swallowing, imbalance while walking, etc. Isolated symptoms of vertigo without any additional symptoms, seldom/rarely occur due to brain stroke.

·      The diagnosis can be confirmed by doing an MRI scan of brain.

·      Treatment is done as for brain stroke (refer to my earlier blog articles on brain stroke management).

 Cervical vertigo

·      This is an uncommon cause of vertigo,

·      Occurs in the setting of severe cervical spondylosis and disc disease in the cervical (neck) region,

·      Cervical vertigo is also more common in older people.

·      Treatment is as for disc disease (refer to my earlier article on disc disease)

 Miscellaneous causes of vertigo

In addition to the above listed main causes of vertigo, we should also look for other causes. These include low blood pressure, anemia (low haemoglobin), general weakness, low blood sugars, etc. 

Who should we consult for vertigo?

Initially, a primary care physician may be consulted. If there is a doubt in exact diagnosis, the patient should be evaluated by a neurologist. 

An ENT opinion may be taken if an ear-related cause is suspected.

What is the outcome in cases of vertigo?

Most people with vertigo recover well and they do so in a few days. However, a minority of patients continue to suffer for several months. It is uncommon for the symptoms to last for more than three months.

Vertigo may be disabling in the first few days of illness, however, after that period, most people are able to normally function.




Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine) DM (Neurology)
Senior Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad

Email: drsudhirkumar@yahoo.com

Phone (for appointment): 0091-40-23607777, extension 6634/3011

Online consultation: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar





31 comments:

Thrinath Chakravarthy Jalamadugu said...

Doctor! Really useful information.

Is there any specific age group which suffers most due to this!? And what would be the best medication?
Does it attract any specific diagnosis if this persists?

Appreciate a response. Thank you sir.

Dr. Sudhir Kumar said...

Hi Mr Trinath,

Any age group can be affected. However, it is more common in older people.

For short term relief, betahistine (vertin) tablets are the best.

BPPV and Meniere's disease are the commonest causes for long standing vertigo.

Unknown said...

Hello Doctor,

Thanks for your valuable information, One of my friend is having the symptoms which were mentioned in the above article. "Posterior circulation stroke (Brain stroke)
· This refers to reduction in blood supply to the back of brain, mainly cerebellum and brain stem.
· This is more common in people with risk factors for stroke, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, etc.
· Patients often have additional symptoms such as double vision, slurred speech, difficulty in swallowing, imbalance while walking, etc. Isolated symptoms of vertigo without any additional symptoms, seldom/rarely occur due to brain stroke.
· The diagnosis can be confirmed by doing an MRI scan of brain.
· Treatment is done as for brain stroke (refer to my earlier blog articles on brain stroke management)."

Now can you please let me know that, whether it is a major health issue or minor health issue? Hope I'll get quick response from your end.

Looking forward to here from you...

Dr. Sudhir Kumar said...

Dear Syam, Please ask your friend to get clinically examined by a Neurologist to confirm the diagnosis so that appropriate treatment can be started at the earliest.

Unknown said...

Soo helpful tqq for d info doc im suffering wth d same prblm now

Dr. Sudhir Kumar said...

Hi Tejaswini, Hope you recover fast. If needed, you can consult me.

Unknown said...

Hi Doctor,

My father age 65 years. He doesn't have BP and Sugar. He fell down suddenly yesterday morning 4 am, we consulted Neurologist , after scanning to the head ,he told no clots are there. One day he is fine and today whenever he wake up and lay down he is feeling Vertigo and due to this bed rest only.Please suggest shall we meet you...

Unknown said...

HI Doctor,

My Father age 65 years and does not have BP , Sugar ,no drinking & smoking. He did some excersize for back pain relief 3 days back and yesterday morning 4 am he fell down suddenly and after 15 mins he came into concious. We consulted Neurologist immediately and after scanning for head he told no clots and given medicines.Yesterday he fine he walked himself.Today from morning if he wakes up / lay down getting vertigo and complete bed rest.Please suggest what could be the reason and any further tests required.....

Looking forward for your valuable suggestion...

Dr. Sudhir Kumar said...

Dear Mr Ramachandra Prasad,

A good examination by a neurologist is needed to ascertain the cause. If in Hyderabad, I would be pleased to assist.

Best wishes,

Dr Sudhir Kumar

Dr. Sudhir Kumar said...

Mr Prasad,

Yes, you can meet me at Apollo hospital, Jubilee Hills Hyderabad (04023607777/60601066)

Anonymous said...

Sir naaku back side nerves laaguthunnai kaaranam enti sir

Dr. Sudhir Kumar said...

I need to examine you to determine the cause and decide the best treatment of back pain.

Anonymous said...

Sir, I have Vertigo (BPPV) since 8 years. While walking, sitting suddenly it comes. It happened due to left year 40-50% nervous damage. While walking I geel heaviness (Crystal deposit). Once vertigo attacks, it goes out in 20-25 seconds but impact is for 2 hours with vomitting, heaviness where I have to sleep for 2-3 hours to become easy. It impacts me in normal way.

A K Nayak
Miypaur

Anonymous said...

Very nice post. I definitely appreciate this website.
Keep it up!

Unknown said...

Thank u for ur information doctor
Today normally I did my regular activities at night I slept and after some time I wake up I get giddness/tala dimmu.
I hv bp and sugar.is this bcz of that or sm food timings change. Pls suggesr me doctor

Dr. Sudhir Kumar said...

K Susmitha, You require a detailed clinical examination to determine the cause of your giddiness.

Unknown said...

Hi Doctor, this is Ramadevi. I have undergone Splenectomy operation before 10,years. Now I am suffering with giddiness. I'm using vertin16 tablet for it but still I am feeling giddiness is there any problem. Please answer me.

Dr. Sudhir Kumar said...

Hi Rama Devi, you need a detailed evaluation by a neurologist and ENT doctor to determine the cause of giddiness.

Unknown said...

Hello sir my mom 45 age has same problem symptoms as mentioned in bppv while shaking head head movement she is getting chakkar too much and ear pain inside little bit we have gone to ENT specialist but hes told to visit orthopaedic doctor i m totally confused whr to go

Dr. Sudhir Kumar said...

You can consult another ENT specialist, who has knowledge of BPPV.

Unknown said...

hi sir iam shyam 22 years old iam suffering from headache and eye rounding wt are symptoms for this sir pls help me sir

Dr. Sudhir Kumar said...

Hi Shyam, you need to be examined by a neurologist to find out the cause. So, if possible, consult a neurologist.

Unknown said...

Hi sir my name is VENKATESH naku 3 months nunchi Kallu tiriginattu,vomiting vastunnattu and nadichetappudu brain lo nerves kottukunnai, ct brain kuda teeyincganu doctor Garu naku vertin tablets echaru avi vadutuna ayina naku ears sounds vastunnai ,gunde dhadaga ,body shake ayinattu anipistundi deeniki parishkaram cheppandi sir.

Dr. Sudhir Kumar said...

Mr Venkat, your problems seem to be peripheral vertigo with anxiety. I would be pleased to see you.

Abdullah Saleh said...

Dear Sir,
I have been suffering from Vertigo/dizziness/imbalance problem for the last 3 years & since last 1 year it is continuous but sometimes it is less or more. Moreover, since 1 month i am getting some sound like an insect sound / buzzing sound in my ear & i feel like my head is vibrating. And also most of the time i am having upper back pain at left side & my neck is stiff.
I checked with many ENT & Neuro doctors in KSA & India, but they couldn't diagnose the exact disease. And still i am suffering a lot because of this problem.
I have been taking medication since many months/years & doing the exercises for eyes, head & shoulder but still there is no benefit.
Please advise what may the cause of constant vertigo for more than 1 year & suggest me what to do. Surely, i would like to meet you once i am back in Hyderabad.
I would be very thankful to you for your suggestion & advise.


Thanks & Regards,
Abdullah saleh

Unknown said...

Sir namaste naku 3 months nunchi chest pain vachindi appatnunchi naku kallu BAGA tirugutunnai, nen CT scan, spine x ray, Anni teepichanu, doctor chusi naku vertin tablets echadu but naku enka relief ldu, enka ecg and 2 dco kuda normal ga undi, eppudu naku head back side light ga pain vasthudi, left jaw and left hand timmiri vasthudi body Sheck avtunnatlu anipisthudi, please sir na problem enti cheppandi

Dr. Sudhir Kumar said...

Hi Venkat Bandirala, I would need to examine you and see all your reports to make the correct diagnosis and suggest the best medical treatment. So, plan to consult me when it is possible for you.

Meera said...

Sir, I'm 38 years old. 20 years back I got head injury accidentally.Now some times I suffered from tala tiragatam. But I don't have any other symptoms. Is it due to BP or any other? Please tell me

Dr. Sudhir Kumar said...

Meera, you would need to be clinically examined to determine the cause of your dizziness.

velchal said...

Dr My Daughter V Sunitha aged 48 yrs is suffering from Dizziness and loss of balance She just cannot go out for the last four to five months . She has lost her confidence is worried . It comes usually in the morning when she gets up. She feels falling when walking. She has been taking vertin now and then but a very small relief . Request your advice Sir

V S Sudhaker

Dr. Sudhir Kumar said...

Dear Mr Sudhakar, I would love to examine your daughter and her reports to make a proper diagnosis, so that the best treatment can be started.