Vertigo is a sudden feeling that you are unsteady or that the environment around you is moving. Vertigo is generally short in duration (usually around 1 minute) and is mostly harmless unless it causes the sufferer to fall. In acute cases, vertigo can actually make you feel like your mind is spinning. Often times, vertigo causes dizziness that can be directly related to the position of your head.
Symptoms of Vertigo
Vertigo comes on suddenly causing dizziness or a sense that your surrounds are moving even though you are still. It can make a person very unsteady and lightheaded, occasionally causing the sufferer to lose their balance. Other associated symptoms that could be a sign of a serious problem include blurred vision, nausea and vomiting.
Causes of Vertigo
Vertigo stems from the inner ear, more specifically, an organ called the vestibular labyrinth. This tiny organ uses fine, hair-like sensor to monitor the movement of our head. They also have tiny crystals, that occasionally become dislodge. This movement of the crystals results in a spinning effect, or vertigo.
Risk Factors for Vertigo
Although there is no established standard for who can suffer from the symptoms of vertigo, it is most common in the elderly, those over 60 years of age. Other factors that can lead to vertigo include head injuries or any disorders in the balance organs of the head.
