What is Vertigo?
Vertigo symptoms generally include a sensation of “the world spinning uncontrollably.” Often times during a vertigo spell people will lay down on the floor to alleviate the feeling of spinning or falling. This sensation is often accompanied by other symptoms including nausea, vomiting, sweating, and anxiety. These spells can last from seconds to minutes, and in extreme cases can cause loss of consciousness or “blackouts.”
Depending on when and how vertigo symptoms come on, some people are at risk for falling and sustaining further injury. It is not uncommon for vertigo symptoms to occur in connection with other conditions such as Meniere’s Disease, migraine headaches, concussion, and more. Vertigo can also come from an acute infection in the inner ear, which affects the vestibular system.
What is the vestibular system?
The vestibular system is vital to our well-being because it controls our equilibrium, motion, and spatial orientation. Our vestibular system detects all the movement around us and keeps us balanced and upright so we can perform daily activities. When our vestibular system is malfunctioning, it is difficult for our bodies to determine where we are oriented in space causing dizzy spells, loss of balance, tinnitus, and nausea. The vestibular nerve nucleus can be traced back to the medulla and pons located in the brainstem. The brainstem is the control center of the body, which allows the brain and body to communicate and carry out proper function.