Vertigo (medical)
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| Vertigo | |
| Classification and external resources | |
| ICD-9 | 780.4 |
|---|---|
| eMedicine | neuro/ |
| MeSH | D014717 |
Vertigo (from the Latin vertigin-, vertigo, "dizziness," originally "a whirling or spinning movement," from vertō "I turn"[1]) is a specific type of dizziness, a major symptom of a balance disorder. It is the sensation of spinning or swaying while the body is actually stationary with respect to the surroundings.
The effects of vertigo may be slight. It can cause nausea and vomiting and, in severe cases, it may give rise to difficulties with standing and walking.
Contents |
[edit] Classification
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Vertigo is typically classified into one of two categories depending on the location of the damaged vestibular pathway. These are peripheral or central vertigo. Each category has a distinct set of characteristics and associated findings.
[edit] Causes
Vertigo is usually associated with a problem in the inner ear balance mechanisms (vestibular system), in the syndrome and Meniere's disease. In most cases vertigo does not cause long term effect, but there have been cases of oversedation at the patients room. (sleepnea)
Discontinuation of antidepressant medication, also known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor discontinuation syndrome can result in a wide variety of withdrawal symptoms. Vertigo is a frequently found symptom, along with brain shivers, insomnia, nausea, confusion, imbalance, sweating, and many more as withdrawal symptoms are different for each individual.
Transient vertigo can be caused by inflammation of the inner ear due to the common cold, influenza, and bacterial infections. Vertigo can also occur after long flights or boat journeys where the mind gets used to turbulence, resulting in a person's feeling as if he or she is moving up and down. This usually subsides after a few days. Another source of vertigo is through exposure to high levels of sound pressure, rattling the inner ear and causing a loss of balance. Consumption of alcohol can also cause vertigo.
Rarely, vertigo-like symptoms may appear as paraneoplastic syndrome (PNS) in the form of opsoclonus myoclonus syndrome, an extremely rare multi-faceted neurological disorder associated with many forms of incipient cancer lesions or viruses.
[edit] Neurochemistry
The neurochemistry of vertigo includes 6 primary neurotransmitters that have been identified between the 3-neuron arc that drives the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR). Many others play more minor roles.
Three neurotransmitters that work peripherally and centrally include glutamate, acetylcholine, and GABA.
Glutamate maintains the resting discharge of the central vestibular neurons, and may modulate synaptic transmission in all 3 neurons of the VOR arc. Acetylcholine appears to function as an excitatory neurotransmitter in both the peripheral and central synapses. GABA is thought to be inhibitory for the commissures of the medial vestibular nucleus, the connections between the cerebellar Purkinje cells and the lateral vestibular nucleus, and the vertical VOR.
Three other neurotransmitters work centrally. Dopamine may accelerate vestibular compensation. Norepinephrine modulates the intensity of central reactions to vestibular stimulation and facilitates compensation. Histamine is present only centrally, but its role is unclear. It is known that centrally acting antihistamines modulate the symptoms of motion sickness.
The neurochemistry of emesis overlaps with the neurochemistry of motion sickness and vertigo. Acetylcholine, histamine, and dopamine are excitatory neurotransmitters, working centrally on the control of emesis. GABA inhibits central emesis reflexes. Serotonin is involved in central and peripheral control of emesis but has little influence on vertigo and motion sickness.
Vertigo has also been known to have started from fun fair rides in which a force is used to keep you in, this force can cause veritgo.
[edit] Diagnostic testing
Tests of vestibular system (balance) function include electronystagmography (ENG), rotation tests, caloric reflex test,[2] and computerized dynamic posturography (CDP).
Tests of auditory system (hearing) function include pure-tone audiometry, speech audiometry, acoustic-reflex, electrocochleography (ECoG), otoacoustic emissions (OAE), and auditory brainstem response test (ABR; also known as BER, BSER, or BAER).
Other diagnostic tests include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computerized axial tomography (CAT or CT).
[edit] Treatment
Treatment is specific for underlying disorder of vertigo:
- vestibular rehabilitation
- anticholinergics
- antihistamines
- benzodiazepines
- calcium channel antagonists, specifically Verapamil and Nimodipine
- GABA modulators, specifically gabapentin and baclofen
- neurotransmitter reuptake inhibitors such as SSRIs, SNRIs and tricyclics
- benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), a special kind of vertigo, is treated with the Epley maneuver (performed by a doctor or physical therapist, or with a BPPV maneuver at home)
- antibiotics if the underlying cause is inflammation of the inner ear due to bacterial infection.
[edit] References
- ^ "Definition of vertigo". Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/vertigo. Retrieved on 2007-09-19.
- ^ "Core Curriculum: Inner Ear Disease — Vertigo". Baylor College of Medicine. 2006-01-23. http://www.bcm.edu/oto/studs/vertigo.html. Retrieved on 2007-09-19.
[edit] External links
- Vertigo (medical) at the Open Directory Project
- Vertigo information
- Vertigo Information - Causes, Symptoms, Treatment
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