vertigo

(vûr`tĭgō), sensations of moving in space or of objects moving about a person and the resultant difficulty in maintaining equilibrium. True vertigo, as distinguished from faintness, lightheadedness, and other forms of dizziness, occurs as a result of a disturbance of some part of the body's balancing mechanism, located in the inner ear (e.g., vestibule, semicircular canals, auditory nerves). Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), the most common kind, is the result of the displacement some of the calcium carbonate crystals (otoconia) from a fluid-filled cavity (the utricle) in the labyrinth of the ear into the semicircular canals, where they interfere with normal fluid movement. In many cases, BPPV may be treated by maneuvers designed to reposition the crystals that are easily done by a health-care provider. Labyrinthitis, or infection and irritation of the middle and inner ear, also is a common cause of vertigo, as is Ménière's diseaseMénière's syndrome
, disorder of the inner ear characterized by recurrent episodes of loss of balance combined with deafness and a ringing sensation. It was first described by the French otologist Prosper Ménière, in 1861.
..... Click the link for more information. . Correction or elimination of the mechanical, infectious, toxic, or environmental factors underlying the disturbance is essential for permanent relief.

Vertigo

a sensation of disturbance of body balance and seeming rotation of surrounding objects. In the ontogeny of a human being a certain definite conception of the individual’s interrelationship with surrounding objects (space) is formed; the principal role in this is played by the information that enters the central nervous system from the vestibular apparatus, the organs of sight, and nerve endings that receive deep and cutaneous responses. When there is a disturbance in the transmission or perception of this information, vertigo occurs. Vertigo may sometimes arise in healthy persons, for example when there is extreme or prolonged stimulation of the vestibular apparatus (movement with considerable linear or angular acceleration, swinging, etc.), as a result of intensive rhythmic stimulation of the receptors of the eyeballs (prolonged fixation of the gaze on a moving object), or with absence in surrounding space of accustomed points that determine space orientation (at high altitudes).

Vertigo often arises in certain diseased conditions, such as diseases of the vestibular analysor (labyrinth, audio-vestibular nerve, vestibular nuclei of the brain stem, supranuclear structures, cortex, and, above all, areas of the temporal-parietooccipital junction) and of the visual and oculomotor apparatus, as well as in pathology of the gastrointestinal tract, the cardiovascular system, and other organs. The causes of affection of the vestibular analysor may be inflammatory or noninflammatory diseases of the labyrinth; otosclerosis; Ménière’s disease; infectious, toxic, or traumatic influences on the audio-vestibular nerve; disturbances in circulation of cerebrospinal fluid; vascular, inflammatory, toxic, oncological, and parasitic brain diseases; and, more rarely, functional diseases of the nervous system. Vertigo is usually accompanied by nausea, vomiting, slow pulse, pallor, change in arterial pressure, and the appearance of nystagmus. Treatment consists of removal of the causes; acetyl-cholinolytic preparations, vitamin B₆, and therapeutic exercises are prescribed.

REFERENCES

Min’kovskii, A. Kh. “Golovokruzhenie.” In Problemy labirintologii. Cheliabinsk, 1966.
Khechinashvili, S. N. “Golovokruzhenie.” Klinicheskaia meditsina, 1964, vol. 42, no. 9.
Piquet, J., and J. J. Piquet. Les Vertiges. Paris, 1965.

V. A. KARLOV

vertigo

[′vərd·ə‚gō] (medicine) The sensation that the outer world is revolving about the patient (objective vertigo) or that the patient is moving in space (subjective vertigo).

vertigo

A type of spatial disorientation caused by the physical senses sending conflicting signals to the brain. The eyes send the signal that the aircraft is in a certain attitude, while the inner ear indicates a different attitude—hence, the confusion. The situation can be dangerous when flying in clouds, at night, and in poor visibility conditions. The defense lies in concentration on and confidence in flight instruments.

vertigo

Pathol a sensation of dizziness or abnormal motion resulting from a disorder of the sense of balance

vertigo

[ver´tĭ-go] a sensation of rotation or movement of one's self (subjective vertigo) or of one's surroundings (objective vertigo) in any plane. The term is sometimes used erroneously as a synonym for dizziness. Vertigo may result from diseases of the inner ear or may be due to disturbances of the vestibular centers or pathways in the central nervous system.benign paroxysmal positional vertigo recurrent vertigo and nystagmus occurring when the head is placed in certain positions, usually not associated with lesions of the central nervous system.benign positional vertigo (benign postural vertigo) benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.central vertigo that due to disorder of the central nervous system.cerebral vertigo vertigo resulting from a brain lesion, such as in meningogenic labyrinthitis. Called also organic vertigo.disabling positional vertigo constant vertigo or dysequilibrium and nausea in the upright position, without hearing disturbance or loss of vestibular function.labyrinthine vertigo Meniere's disease.organic vertigo cerebral vertigo.peripheral vertigo vestibular vertigo.positional vertigo that associated with a specific position of the head in space or with changes in position of the head in space.vestibular vertigo vertigo due to disturbances of the vestibular centers or pathways in the central nervous system.

ver·ti·go

(ver-ti'gō), Although this word is correctly stressed on the second syllable, in U.S. usage it is often stressed on the first syllable.1. A sensation of spinning or whirling motion. Vertigo implies a definite sensation of rotation of the subject (subjective vertigo) or of objects about the subject (objective vertigo) in any plane. 2. Imprecisely used as a general term to describe dizziness. [L. vertigo (vertigin-), dizziness, fr. verto, to turn]

vertigo

(vûr′tĭ-gō′)n. pl. verti·goes or verti·gos 1. a. The sensation of dizziness.b. An instance of such a sensation.2. A confused, disoriented state of mind.

vertigo

Dizziness Neurology A distortion of perception characterized by a sensation of rotational movement or loss of equilibrium, a finding typical of vestibular dysfunction Clinical Often accompanied by nystagmus and, if severe, N&V Etiology Benign positional vertigo, Me´nière's disease, labyrinthitis, acoustic neuroma Treatment–medical If acute, diazepam; if recurrent, scopolamine; if nausea, antiemetic; if severe, bed rest; if recurrent, exercise Treatment–interventional Transmastoid labyrinthectomy, vestibular nerve section, middle ear endoscopy, semicircular canal ablation, streptomycin infusion. See Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, Objective vertigo, Positional vertigo, Subjective vertigo. Cf Dizziness, Dizzy spell, Pseudovertigo. Vertigo–duration Seconds Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo Minutes to hours a. Idiopathic endolymphatic hydrops–Me´nie`re's disease b. Secondary endolymphatic hydrops 1. Otic syphilis .2. Delayed endolymphatic hydrops .3. Cogan's disease .4. Recurrent vestibulopathy Days Vestibular neuronitis Variable duration a. Inner ear fistula b. Inner ear trauma 1. Nonpenetrating trauma 2. Penetrating trauma 3. Barotrauma
.

ver·ti·go

(vĕr'ti-gō) 1. A sensation of spinning or whirling motion; implies a definite sensation of rotation of the subject or of objects about the subject in any plane. 2. Imprecisely used as a general term to describe dizziness. [L. vertigo (vertigin-), dizziness, fr. verto, to turn]

vertigo

The illusion that the environment, or the body, is rotating. Severe vertigo causes the sufferer to fall. It may be due to TRAVEL SICKNESS, fear of heights, anxiety, alcohol, drugs or HYPERVENTILATION. Some cases of the most severe and persistent vertigo may be caused by disorders of the balancing mechanisms in the inner ears, such as MÉNIÈRE'S DISEASE or LABYRINTHITIS, or to disease of the CEREBELLUM or its connections from VERTEBROBASILAR INSUFFICIENCY, TUMOUR or MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS.

Vertigo

A sensation of dizziness marked by the feeling that one's self or surroundings are spinning or whirling.Mentioned in: Acoustic Neuroma, Labyrinthitis, Ménière's Disease, Stapedectomy, Tilt Table Test

vertigo

The sensation of irregular movement in space of either oneself or of external objects. It can be experienced after vestibular stimulation.

ver·ti·go

(vĕr'ti-gō) 1. A sensation of spinning or whirling motion; implies a definite sensation of rotation of the subject or of objects about the subject. 2. Imprecisely used to describe dizziness. [L. vertigo (vertigin-), dizziness, fr. verto, to turn]

Patient discussion about vertigo

Q. Is this Vertigo? When I stand on high places and look down and feel very dizzy. Is this vertigo?A. Vertigo is often confused with a fear of heights. However, the dizzy feeling when you look down from a high place is not the same as vertigo, which can occur at any time and may last for many years.
Vertigo is more severe than dizziness, which is often experienced as a feeling of light-headedness when you stand up. Vertigo can make moving around difficult, as the sensation of spinning affects your balance.

Q. What causes Vertigo? My friend says she has vertigo and suffers from dizzy spells every now and then. Is this physiological or physical?A. Vertigo is most commonly caused by a problem with the balancing mechanism in the inner ear. This is a coiled tube of fluid that lies behind the eardrum called the labyrinth. Viral infections such as a common cold or flu can spread to the labyrinth (labyrinthitis). Less commonly, labyrinthitis is caused by a bacterial infection of the middle ear (otitis media). Vertigo caused by an ear infection usually starts suddenly, and may be accompanied by a painful ear and high temperature.
Vertigo can also occur because of:
Arthritis in the neck, Migraines, Poor circulation, Motion sickness and over-breathing (hyperventilation), Alcohol and certain drugs.

Q. What Is The Difference Between Dizziness and Vertigo? I have really bad dizziness problems, and my doctor wrote down that I have "true vertigo". What is the difference between vertigo and dizziness? A. Vertigo is a term that means there is a feeling as if in a spin. Dizziness describes any lack of stableness, not necessarily a true spinning sensation. There are two types of vertigo: subjective and objective. Subjective vertigo is when a person feels a false sensation of movement. Objective vertigo is when the surroundings will appear to move past a person's field of vision.

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Synonyms for vertigo

noun dizziness

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Synonyms for vertigo

noun a sensation of whirling or falling

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Synonyms for vertigo

noun a reeling sensation

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