Find Vertigo Doctors near you

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FAQs:

What is a Vertigo Doctor?

A vertigo doctor is a specialist who specializes in dizziness and vertigo treatment. Their mission is to rescue people suffering from dizziness, vertigo, balance problems and falls.

What is Vertigo?

Vertigo is a common sensation of spinning dizziness. A person may feel as though the room or surrounding environment is spinning in circles around them. Many people use the term to describe a fear of heights, but this is inaccurate. Vertigo can occur when a person looks down from a great height, but the term usually refers to any temporary or ongoing spells of dizziness caused by problems in the inner ear or brain. Vertigo is not an illness but a symptom of an underlying condition. Many different conditions can cause vertigo.

What Does Vertigo Feel Like?

Vertigo is a type of dizziness where the world appears to be spinning, tilting, or swaying, even when standing completely still. In addition to the spinning, the eyes usually go back and forth like they’re trying to track the motion. People can feel off-balance and wobbly, walk differently, and fall. The spinning can cause motion sickness and nausea. It can even make people throw up if it lasts long enough.

How Long Does Vertigo Last?

If there’s no medical problem or a benign inner ear disorder, vertigo gradually improves and goes away in a few seconds. If it’s caused by a serious medical problem, such as inner ear infections, ear tumors, brain tumors, fluid buildup, or stroke, vertigo episodes may last for hours, days, weeks, or months.

Will Vertigo Go Away on its Own?

In some instances, vertigo can resolve on its own especially if it’s due to BPPV. Over time, the brain can adapt to changes in the inner ear and rely on other mechanisms to maintain balance. However, just because vertigo can resolve on its own doesn’t mean it will. Unfortunately, vertigo can persist and severely impact daily activities and quality of life. For example, conditions like Ménière’s disease or vestibular neuritis may not resolve without medical intervention. Ignoring it could even exacerbate the condition. Furthermore, the condition could indicate that there’s a more serious health problem lurking beneath.

What is the Difference Between Dizziness and Vertigo?

Dizziness generally describes a feeling of being off-balance. When you’re dizzy, moving can be difficult. You may stagger while you’re walking or feel like you’re going to fall. Many people with vertigo will report dizziness as a symptom. However, vertigo describes a specific type of sensation. Vertigo is when you feel as if you or your surroundings are moving. If you experience vertigo, you may feel a spinning, whirling, or tipping sensation. Like dizziness, vertigo also impacts balance. It’s not uncommon for someone with vertigo to also experience nausea or vomiting.

Can Earwax Cause Vertigo?

Yes, earwax blockages have been known to result in Vertigo. The inner ear houses the vestibular system, the part of our body that’s responsible for maintaining balance. Impacted cerumen or earwax buildup in the ears can cause dizziness and vertigo when it accumulates on the eardrum. Certain groups of people are more at risk of excess earwax causing symptoms of vertigo. For instance, elderly people who wear hearing aids are more susceptible to falls due to impacted earwax. Swimmers and surfers sometimes experience blocked ears as a result of water causing earwax to expand and block the ears.

How to Cure Vertigo Permanently?

There is no permanent cure for vertigo, with or without medication. To treat vertigo successfully without medication, physical therapy techniques, chiropractic care, lifestyle changes, and even supplements are all positive steps toward reducing vertigo attacks. A combination of treatments can also reduce the severity of your symptoms. There is some evidence that supplements may prevent future vertigo attacks caused by conditions like BPPV. Calcium, vitamin D, and ginkgo biloba have been identified as supportive in improving vertigo symptoms. If you are currently on any medications, talk to your doctor about adding supplements to your diet to ensure they don’t negatively interact with your existing regimen.

Can Vertigo Be Caused By Stress?

Although stress does not directly cause vertigo, it can trigger symptoms. Vertigo results from a dysfunction in the vestibular system. The vestibular system helps people maintain their balance and starts in their ears. Tiny hairs in the inner ear detect head movements and send messages to the brain. The brain processes this information to establish which direction a person is facing. Stress and vertigo interfere with these signals and can make someone feel as if the ground is spinning or moving. Doctors call this vestibular dysfunction.

Vertigo can be stressful and negatively affect a person’s quality of life. Anxiety and stress can also make someone feel dizzy, and the fear of a vertigo episode can further contribute to stress. Some people notice they experience vertigo more often in times of stress.

Is Vertigo Hereditary?

Vertigo itself is not necessarily hereditary. However, it could be a symptom of various hereditary conditions and syndromes. Therefore, a doctor may ask a person with vertigo about their family medical history. Scientists have recently discovered six gene variants they associate with vertigo. These genes play a role in inner ear development, maintenance, and problems. Examples of conditions that can trigger vertigo and appear to involve genetic factors include:

- familial episodic ataxia

- migrainous vertigo

- bilateral vestibular hypofunction

- familial Ménière’s disease

Can a Sinus Infection Cause Vertigo?

Acute or chronic sinus infections block your sinus passages and can cause fluid build-up in your ears that puts pressure on your eardrum and the inner functions of your ear. This build-up and pressure can affect what is known as your vestibular labyrinth, which is used by the brain to determine balance. The vestibular labyrinth is made up of three looped tubes in each ear called the semicircular canal. When the pressure and build-up from a sinus infection affect these canals, it can cause the fluid to move and give you a dizzy sensation.

Other side effects like nausea typically accompany the feeling of vertigo, which can leave you feeling much more discomfort on your road to recovery. When a sinus infection reaches the point of dizziness, the infection is usually substantial and needs medical attention. More severe cases of sinus-related dizziness can be related to, or even cause, vertigo if serious damage is done to the vestibular labyrinth from unwanted build-up and/or pressure. So it’s best to attack the issue sooner rather than later.

Is Walking Good for Vertigo?

Walking is a simple but powerful exercise for vertigo. It can help improve your balance. Walking with greater balance will allow you to function better on your own, which in turn may lead to improved self-confidence. As you walk, you will also be working your muscles. This helps you keep muscle tone and may increase your strength.

Because you are moving, you are more at risk of falling. If you can, do your walking next to a wall with a handrail or in a hall, or be sure to have someone with you. Here are three walking exercises that can slowly help improve your balance.

1. "Walk and stop" exercise for vertigo

2. "Walk and turn around" exercise for vertigo

3. "Walk and turn your head" exercise for vertigo

Can Dehydration Cause Vertigo?

Yes, dizziness can indeed be a symptom of dehydration. When the body lacks sufficient fluids, it can affect blood pressure and circulation. The drop in blood pressure can lead to a reduced flow of blood to the brain, which can result in dizziness or lightheadedness. Additionally, dehydration can impact the balance of electrolytes– like sodium and potassium– which play a crucial role in muscle function. This electrolyte imbalance can further contribute to feelings of dizziness.

Dizziness from dehydration may present as a sensation of unsteadiness, faintness, or spinning. It can be most noticeable during sudden movements, like standing up quickly after sitting for an extended period. If you experience dizziness along with other signs of dehydration, it’s important to address your fluid intake properly and seek medical attention if symptoms persist.

Can Lack of Sleep Cause Vertigo?

Sleep disturbances, such as sleep apnea, insomnia, and sleep deprivation, have been identified as potential triggers for vertigo and dizziness. Quality sleep plays a vital role in the brain's ability to regulate balance and spatial perception, which is essential for maintaining equilibrium. When disrupted inadequate sleep can disrupt these delicate mechanisms, potentially leading to an increased risk of experiencing vertigo symptoms. Therefore, addressing sleep disturbances becomes crucial in managing and alleviating vertigo, allowing individuals to regain their stability and reclaim the activities they love.

What are the 3 Types of Vertigo?

Here are the 3 types of vertigo:

1. Peripheral Vertigo 

It is the most common type. It’s caused by a problem with your inner ear or balance organs and can be triggered by head movements. You may feel like you’re spinning or that the room is moving even when you’re still. Peripheral vertigo is often accompanied by nausea and vomiting.

2. Central Vertigo

It is less common than peripheral vertigo and is caused by a problem in your brain or spinal cord. The most common cause of central vertigo is stroke, but migraines, tumors, or infections can also cause it. People with central vertigo usually have other neurological symptoms in addition to dizziness, such as weakness, trouble speaking, or vision changes.

3. Psychogenic Vertigo

It is caused by psychological factors, such as stress or anxiety. It can also be caused by vestibular migraines, which are migraines that include dizziness as a symptom. People with psychogenic vertigo don’t usually have other neurological symptoms.

What are the 10 Signs of Vertigo?

While vertigo is a symptom itself, there are two different types of vertigo you can experience: peripheral and central. Regardless of the type of vertigo you have, the most common symptom you'll experience is dizziness.

1. Peripheral Vertigo Symptoms

Peripheral vertigo develops suddenly and occurs when you have an infection or problem in your inner ear.3 Most people who experience vertigo have the peripheral type, which accounts for about 80% of all cases. In addition to dizziness, peripheral vertigo can cause:

- Nausea and vomiting

- Trouble focusing your eyes

- Hearing loss or ringing in the ears (tinnitus)

- Balance problems

- Sweating

2. Central Vertigo Symptoms

Central vertigo is caused by a problem in the brain rather than the vestibular system. This type of vertigo is less common than peripheral vertigo and may occur as a result of chronic conditions like multiple sclerosis, strokes, seizures, tumors, blood vessel disorders, or vestibular migraine. Aside from dizziness, it's common to experience the following symptoms with central vertigo:

- Difficulty swallowing or speaking

- Numbness or weakness

- Double vision

- Headache

- Light sensitivity

What Causes Vertigo?

Vertigo causes vary from person to person and may include:

- Migraine headaches.

- Certain medications, including some antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and cardiovascular drugs.

- Stroke.

- Arrhythmia.

- Diabetes.

- Head injuries.

- Prolonged bed rest.

- Shingles in or near your ear.

- Ear surgery.

- Perilymphatic fistula (when inner ear fluid leaks into your middle ear).

- Hyperventilation (rapid breathing).

- Low blood pressure (your blood pressure decreases when you stand up).

- Ataxia (muscle weakness).

- Syphilis.

- Otosclerosis (a bone growth issue affecting your middle ear).

- Brain diseases.

- Multiple sclerosis (MS).

- Acoustic neuroma.

How is Vertigo Diagnosed?

A healthcare provider will perform a physical exam and ask questions about your vertigo symptoms. They may also recommend one or more tests to confirm your diagnosis. Healthcare providers may perform some tests to diagnose vertigo. These tests can include:

1. Fukuda-Unterberger test. Your healthcare provider will ask you to march in place for 30 seconds with your eyes closed. If you rotate or lean to one side, it could mean that you have an issue with your inner ear labyrinth. This could cause vertigo.

2. Romberg’s test. During this assessment, your provider will ask you to close your eyes while standing with your feet together and your arms at your side. If you feel unbalanced or unsteady, it could mean that you have an issue with your central nervous system (your brain or spinal cord).

3. Head impulse test. For this test, your provider will gently move your head to each side while you focus your eyes on a stationary target (for example a spot on the wall or your provider’s nose). As they move your head, they’ll pay close attention to your eye movements. This can tell them if there’s an issue with the balance system in your inner ear.

4. Vestibular test battery. This includes several different tests to check the vestibular portion of your inner ear system. A vestibular test battery can help determine whether your symptoms are a result of an inner ear issue or a brain issue.

5. Imaging tests: These may include CT (computed tomography) scans or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).

What Foods Should You Avoid with Vertigo?

Most of the time, vertigo is caused by disturbances from the inner ear. The fluid that is inside your ear is influenced by substances in your blood and other body fluids. Certain foods can affect the concentration of substances inside your ear and provoke symptoms such as tinnitus (ringing in the ear), migraine, and imbalance. By eliminating or reducing those foods, you can reduce the chances of having future vertigo attacks. Here are the foods that you should avoid.

A. Sodium

Sodium is a mineral regulated by the kidney. It helps to control the body’s fluid balance. However, its excess contributes to fluctuation in the inner ear fluid pressure and may increase your vertigo symptoms. Salty foods are a major source of sodium in our bodies. If you are a vertigo patient, the consumption of salty foods should be reduced to decrease the level of sodium in the body. Examples of high-sodium foods are the following:

- white bread

- pizza

- snacks (chips, popcorn, pretzels)

- canned soups

- sandwiches

- egg dishes

B. Alcohol

Alcohol can cause dehydration and its metabolites are toxic to the brain and inner ear. Alcohol can trigger symptoms such as migraine, nausea, and vertigo. Alcohol has been recognized as affecting the inner ear due to its effect on the composition and volume of the fluid. If you suffer from vertigo, it is recommended you eliminate alcohol, as it can make you dizzy.

C. Caffeine

Caffeine results in excessive urinary body fluids and can worsen symptoms such as tinnitus due to its diuretic properties. If you want to reduce your caffeine consumption, you should avoid the following foods and beverages:

- coffee

- tea

- chocolate

- soft drinks

Instead of drinking coffee or tea, it is recommended you favor water, milk, and low-sugar fruit juices. You should drink at least two liters of water per day.

D. Sugar

Food containing high levels of sugar can cause fluctuations in the volume of body fluids, which may increase vertigo symptoms. Patients should reduce foods and beverages with high concentrations of added sugar, such as:

- sugar-sweetened beverages (soda and energy drinks)

- syrup, cane juice

- baked items (cakes, muffins, pies, cookies)

- ice cream

- candy

E. Migraine triggers

Specific foods and beverages are particularly known as migraine triggers. Avoiding those foods can help to reduce vestibular migraines and avoid future episodes of vertigo. Foods with a higher level of the amino acid tyramine can trigger migraine. Tyramine can result in higher production of a chemical called norepinephrine which can lead to headaches. The following foods are known to have a high concentration of tyramine and should be avoided for patients with recurrent migraines:

- chicken liver

- smoked meats

- sour cream

- yogurt

- pickled herring

- chocolate

- bananas

- citrus fruits

- ripened cheeses (such as cheddar, Stilton, Brie, and Camembert)

How to Treat Vertigo

If you seek treatment, your treatment is based on the cause of your condition and your symptoms. Treatment may include medicines and balance exercises. Even if no cause is found or if your dizziness keeps happening, prescription medicines and other treatments may make your symptoms better.

A. Medications

1. Water pills. If you have Meniere's disease, your healthcare professional may prescribe a water pill, also called a diuretic. This medicine along with a low-salt diet may help you have bouts of dizziness less often.

2. Medicines that relieve dizziness and upset stomach. Your healthcare professional may prescribe medicines to provide fast relief from vertigo, dizziness, and upset stomach. These medicines include prescription antihistamines and anticholinergics. Many of these medicines cause drowsiness.

3. Anti-anxiety medications. Diazepam and alprazolam are in a class of drugs called benzodiazepines. These can cause addiction. They also can cause drowsiness.

4. Preventive medicine for migraine. Certain medicines can help prevent migraine attacks.

B. Therapy

1. Head position movements. A technique called canalith repositioning or the Epley maneuver involves a series of head movements. The technique usually helps benign paroxysmal positional vertigo get better more quickly than simply waiting for the dizziness to go away. It can be done by your healthcare professional, an audiologist, or a physical therapist. It often works after one or two treatments. Before you get canalith repositioning, tell your healthcare professional if you have a neck or back condition, a detached retina, or a condition that affects blood vessels.

2. Balance therapy. You may learn exercises to help make your balance system less sensitive to motion. This physical therapy technique is called vestibular rehabilitation. It is used for people with dizziness from inner ear conditions such as vestibular neuritis.

3. Talk therapy. This involves talking with a psychologist, a psychiatrist, or another mental healthcare professional. This type of therapy may help people whose dizziness is caused by anxiety.

C. Surgery or other procedures

1. Injections. Your healthcare professional may inject your affected inner ear with the antibiotic gentamicin. This medicine stops the inner ear's balance function. Your other, healthy ear takes over that function.

2. Removal of the inner ear sense organ. A treatment that's rarely used is called labyrinthectomy. A surgeon removes the parts of the ear causing vertigo. This causes complete hearing loss in that ear. The other ear takes over the balance function. This technique may be used if you have serious hearing loss and your dizziness hasn't gotten better after other treatments.

When to See a Doctor for Vertigo

In general, see your healthcare professional if you have any repeated, sudden, severe, or long-lasting dizziness or vertigo with no clear cause. Get emergency medical care if you have new, severe dizziness or vertigo along with any of the following:

1. Pain such as a sudden, severe headache or chest pain.

2. Rapid or irregular heartbeat.

3. Loss of feeling or movement in the arms or legs, stumbling or trouble walking, or loss of feeling or weakness in the face.

4. Trouble breathing.

5. Fainting or seizures.

6. Trouble with the eyes or ears, such as double vision or a sudden change in hearing.

7. Confusion or slurred speech.

8. Ongoing vomiting.

What to Expect From Your First Visit to a Vertigo Doctor

Your initial consultation will be thorough and informative:

1. Comprehensive Health History: You and your doctor will discuss symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle factors that may be contributing to your vertigo.

2. Physical Examination: The doctor will perform a detailed examination, including neurological and orthopedic tests.

3. Advanced Imaging: If necessary, you will be asked to take precise X-rays to assess the alignment of your atlas vertebra.

4. Treatment Plan: Based on the findings, they will develop a personalized treatment plan and explain the approach in detail.

5. Initial Treatment: If appropriate, you may receive your first Orthogonal adjustment during this visit.

How to Choose a Vertigo Doctor Near Me

You may decide to see a specialist to diagnose your vertigo. This expert is often called a “vestibular” disorder specialist or vertigo doctor, which means he or she focuses on treating inner ear or balance conditions. There are many factors to consider when choosing a specialist, including:

1. Training. You might want to check if the practitioner has training or education in a vestibular specialty.

2. Experience. Ask how long the doctor has been working with vertigo patients.

3. Equipment. See if the professional has specialized equipment to diagnose and treat vertigo disorders.

4. Practice. Choose a practice that focuses on vestibular disorders.

5. Professional Associations. Check to see if the doctor is a member of a professional association related to vestibular disorders.

The Vestibular Disorders Association (VeDa) provides an online directory that lists qualified vestibular disorder specialists.

Sources:

Everyday Health

Dr. Sanders Chiropractic

Medical News Today

Cleveland Clinic

Single Care

Mayo Clinic

Health

Georgia Upper Cervical

Advanced Specialty Associates

Treble Health

CT Sinus Center

AFC Urgent Care

My Health

Healthline

Zehr Chiropractic

A Care

Better Balance in Life

Spine Pro Chiropractic