Vertigo is the physical sensation that the world is spinning around you, or that you are spinning while the world stands still. In addition to this dizzying sensation, you may have nausea or double vision as associated symptoms. Some people also have decreased hearing or ringing in their ears based on the cause of their vertigo.
Vertigo can be a symptom of many different conditions. Some are more serious than others, but no matter what the cause, vertigo often resolves on its own or can be treated successfully. Many of the diseases that cause vertigo affect the vestibular system. The vestibular system is a neuro-pathway in the inner ear, that senses motion, and is responsible for detecting the location of our body, relative to the objects around us. In certain medical conditions, an inappropriate, or false signal may be sent through the vestibular nerve onto other areas of the brain. When this occurs, the brain perceives the false signals as movement and we, in turn, experience vertigo,
The most common conditions are benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), vestibular migraine, Menière’s disease and vestibular neuritis/labyrinthitis. Unfortunately, each of these conditions can produce symptoms very similar to those of stroke or TIA, so careful attention to symptom details is required.
Vertigo, dizziness, and balance problems can be life altering. For many people it can affect their ability to do even the simplest daily tasks. If you are experiencing vertigo or balance issues, your doctor may want to refer you for a VNG balance evaluation.
VNG stands for videonystagmography, which is a series of tests that evaluate the health of your inner ear and your central motor function. VNG testing can possibly uncover the root cause of your vertigo, dizziness or balance issues, and allow your doctor or audiologist to treat it appropriately and effectively.
At Regional Neurological Associates, we are experienced in the evaluation and management of patients with dizziness. Call us at (718) 515-4347 to schedule an appointment today.
