Everything You Need to Know About Vertigo.

What exactly is vertigo?

Many people confuse vertigo with a fear of heights. A fear of heights is actually called acrophobia, and vertigo may be experienced if you have a fear of heights, and look down from anything high up.

Vertigo is best described as a sense of spinning dizziness which can be caused by various conditions, such as an inner ear problem, a sensory nerve problem, and could even be a symptom of Meniere’s disease, which is a very serious balance condition.

Vertigo therefore, is not a disease on its own, but is rather a symptom of something else. Doctors treating conditions which may result in dizziness or vertigo symptoms, including Meniere’s disease, usually refer to the problem as vertigo, mainly for easy reference.

Symptoms of vertigo.

Vertigo can be temporary or long term, and research has linked persistent vertigo to mental health issues like depression or anxiety, which may affect a person’s ability to function in daily life.

Here are common symptoms of vertigo, some of which can be related other issues.

• Ear problems that cause dizziness and balance issues.

• Light-headedness and a feeling of motion sickness.

• Nausea and vomiting as a result of feeling dizzy.

• A feeling of fullness in the ear, accompanied by a headache.

• Tinnitus, also known as ringing in the ears, mainly caused by undetected hearing loss, may result in vertigo.

• A quick movement of the head can cause momentarily blurred vision as well as giddiness, and a feeling that your blood pressure has dropped to zero.

• Standing up too quickly from a seated position will give you the same dizzy sensation.

• Concentration and mental focus difficulties in severe cases.

• A disconcerting feeling that your whole world is spinning wildly around you.    

Attacks of vertigo can develop suddenly, and usually last for a few seconds, or a couple of minutes. However, accompanied by nausea and vomiting, it may go on for longer.

How is vertigo diagnosed?

If you are suddenly beset by inexplicable dizzy spells, getting a proper diagnosis is very important so that you know just what may be causing the vertigo.

It could be caused by an issue which needs medical treatment, such as an inner ear infection, migraines, a mild stroke, a tumor, or possible hardening of the arteries to the brain. It may also be a symptom of Meniere’s disease which can need a doctor’s attention.

And it may be something simple which can be easily treated - that’s why you need to know.

How is vertigo treated?

Depending on the diagnosis, if there is no condition that needs medical attention, many cases of vertigo, or dizziness, may improve over time, with no treatment necessary.

However, there are various self-help options you can try which may help to prevent sudden unpleasant attacks of vertigo.

Here are some tips that can help limit the impact of vertigo on day-to-day life.

• Sleep with your head propped up on more than one pillow. This will prevent inner ear crystals from moving and make you feel giddy when you get up.

• Sleeping on your back will also help avoid unnecessary disruption of ear crystals which need to stay stable for your balance.

• Avoid sudden movements of your head which may cause unexpected dizziness.

• If you need to pick something up, do it from bending the knees. Bending from the waist will lower your head past the shoulders, and upset the delicate balance of the crystals.

• Sit down as soon as you feel dizzy.

• If attacks of vertigo seriously compromise your ability to walk, or sense of balance, keep a cane handy to help you prevent falls which may cause harmful injuries.

• A trained physical therapist may also be able to give you certain exercises that can help symptoms improve.

If there is no improvement in vertigo symptoms, ask the doctor to check whether any medications you may be on, have vertigo as a possible side effect.

 How hypnotherapy can help.

Studies have indicated that stress, anxiety, and unresolved trauma, may also play a part in vertigo symptoms, causing giddiness as an escape mechanism when you are stressed.

Adelaide Hypnosis accesses the subconscious mind and can help to find the cause of psychological issues that may be adding to your vertigo problems. Positive suggestions when you are in a relaxed state will work to rectify the issues.

Hypnotherapy is a powerful way to eliminate loss of balance and dizziness by dealing first with stress and anxiety.