1. Understanding Inner Ear Dizziness
We have all felt dizzy at one point or another. Maybe it was from the sight of blood or from standing up too quickly or from having too much to drink. Even though dizziness may be felt the same way, it can mean a variety of things. The kind of dizziness that is experienced by feeling a sense of spinning motion around you is called inner ear dizziness or vertigo. It is not felt by having a feeling of lightheadness, fainting or a loss of motor control. These forms of dizziness usually are the cause of some other ailment or condition taking place.
2. Knowing Its Cause
Vertigo is characterized by the duration of dizzy spell and if it caused by a switch in body positioning. Usually a bout of vertigo that is caused by a change in body position lasts for no more than one minute. The symptoms, which may often include a loss of hearing or ringing in the ears is caused by a piece of small bone getting lodged in the inner ear. This piece of bone then temporarily impacts the areas in the area that sense balance. Vertigo can also be caused by Meniere's Disease, which is a condition whose origin is still not completely understood. What medical science does know is that this condition is caused by a build up fluid in the ear that creates intense pressure in the inner ear. Symptoms usually last for half hour to an entire day.
Other central neurologic disorders may also be the culprit for inciting an episode of vertigo. As can particular drugs, sedatives, anticonvulsants and infections in the inner ear like labyrinthitis also can cause inner ear dizziness.
3. Knowing Its Prevalence
According to the Vestibular Disorders Association, no definitive statistics exist on the incidence and prevalence of inner ear dizziness. This is in part due to the difficulty in describing symptoms and the difference in diagnostic criteria. But The National Institutes of Health estimates that about 545,000 people in the U.S. have Meniere's disease and that 38,250 are diagnosed each year.
4. Diagnosing Inner Ear Dizziness
Vertigo can be diagnosed via an electronystagmogram (ENG) test. This exam tests how well the inner ear, eye and brain help to maintain your sense of balance and position in response to movement. Its main purpose is to determine if there is any nerve or nerve connectivity damage that might be causing inner ear dizziness.
Electrodes are placed on the head near the eyes. Eye movements are then recorded as a series of scenarios are performed. Measurements are taken as the head is moved from side to side and then up and down. Measurements are also recorded as the eyes follow a moving object and then again when water or air is placed inside the ear. A test that is abnormal will show up as having abnormal involuntary rapid eye movements in response to the actions performed.
5. Preventing or Treating Inner Ear Dizziness
If the vertigo is caused by bone debris locating to the inner ear, the individual can simply move him or herself to reposition and restore balance. If the individual has vertigo due to Meniere's Disease, following a low sodium diet can help as can taking diuretics to reduce the amount of fluid that has accumulated. Other treatments such as injecting special drugs into the eardrum are gaining popularity as more research yields promising results. Homeopathic treatments using a flowering plant called Cocculus Indicus 6CH has failed to produce effective results at reducing the symptoms of vertigo. Individuals with vertigo caused by change in movement can also try to avoid movements that incite inner ear dizziness such as standing up too quickly.
