1. Balance Disorders Slideshow
2. Take the Vertigo Quiz
3. Tinnitus Slideshow: Why Are My Ears Ringing?

Medical Author:

Benjamin Wedro, MD, FACEP, FAAEM

Benjamin Wedro, MD, FACEP, FAAEM

Dr. Ben Wedro practices emergency medicine at Gundersen Clinic, a regional trauma center in La Crosse, Wisconsin. His background includes undergraduate and medical studies at the University of Alberta, a Family Practice internship at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario and residency training in Emergency Medicine at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.

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Medical Editor:

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Dr. Charles "Pat" Davis, MD, PhD, is a board certified Emergency Medicine doctor who currently practices as a consultant and staff member for hospitals. He has a PhD in Microbiology (UT at Austin), and the MD (Univ. Texas Medical Branch, Galveston). He is a Clinical Professor (retired) in the Division of Emergency Medicine, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and has been the Chief of Emergency Medicine at UT Medical Branch and at UTHSCSA with over 250 publications.

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In this Article

• Vertigo introduction
• What is vertigo?
• What are the causes of vertigo?
• What are the symptoms of vertigo?
• Who is vertigo diagnosed?
• How is vertigo treated?
• Can I treat vertigo at home, and can vertigo be prevented?
• Vertigo At A Glance
• Balance Disorders - Slideshow
• Take the Vertigo Quiz
• Tinnitus: Why Are My Ears Ringing? - Slideshow
• Vertigo and Balance Disorders FAQs
• Patient Comments: Vertigo - Treatments
• Patient Comments: Vertigo - Cause
• Patient Comments: Vertigo - Symptoms
• Find a local Ear, Nose, & Throat Doctor in your town
• Vertigo Index

While some vertigo is self limited and may be treated with medications, vertigo from BPPV or labyrinthitis is often treated with physical therapy. Using Epley maneuvers, the head is taken through a variety of positions and manipulated to clear debris (crystals) from the semicircular canals and to reduce the inflammation that the debris causes.

Medications like diazepam (Valium) and meclizine (Antivert) are used to decrease inflammation within the vestibular system.

Some patients are placed in a soft collar to limit range of motion of their heads while the vertigo gradually resolves.

If there is concern that there is a viral infection causing the labyrinthitis or neuritis, antiviral medications like acyclovir (Zovirax) or valacyclovir (Valtrex) may be considered.

Patients with acoustic neuroma or other structural problems of the ear may require surgery.

Patients with central causes of vertigo need further investigation and treatment will be tailored to their specific underlying diagnosis.

Balance disorders are often unpredictable. Depending on the cause, symptoms may occur at any time, even after long periods of without any symptoms. It is important to be cautious in order to avoid accidents that could be caused by a balance disorder.

People with vertigo symptoms or people that have a tendency to develop vertigo may reduce or eliminate the symptoms by doing the following:

• Change your position slowly, especially when going from a lying or sitting position to a standing position. When you get out of bed, sit on the side of the bed for a few seconds to gain your orientation and allow your circulatory system to adjust.
  
  
• When walking, focus on distant objects. Do not look down at your feet. Avoid walking in dark areas or on unstable ground. Falls at home occur when the floor covering changes from carpet to tile or linoleum.
  
  
• When riding in a car, try to sit in the front seat. Look out the window at a fixed point. When going around curves, look at a distant object beyond the curve.
  
  
• Make certain eye glass and hearing aid prescriptions are current.
  
  
• Use a cane, walking stick, or walker for support and to give additional pressure and touch (tactile) orientation.
  
  
• Avoid activities that move the head up and down repetitively.
  
  
• Try to avoid keeping the head tilted back for long periods of time, for example painting or dusting above your head.
  
  
• Be cautious when using medications that may cause balance problems as a side effect.

If a person is having an episode of vertigo, he/she should not drive or operate machinery until their doctor says it is safe to do so. People who are subject to sudden instances of vertigo should also avoid climbing ladders or participate in other situations that may be dangerous to themselves or others (for example, hiking alone or taking care of children), should they suddenly feel an episode of vertigo coming on.