Vertigo can be a severely disabling condition. The dizzy sensation can feel akin to being on a tilt-a-whirl at a county fair. You’re essentially stopped in your tracks. Getting through a normal day is difficult or impossible.
Board-certified otolaryngologist Nilesh Patel, MD, treats adult vertigo among other ear, nose, and throat conditions. If you have vertigo, you may wonder about the underlying cause of your dizziness. Here are five somewhat surprising things that can trigger vertigo.
Vertigo can result from an undiagnosed, untreated ear infection. You can develop an ear infection after having a cold or other respiratory virus.
Labyrinthitis is an inner ear infection that can develop from a respiratory infection. It occurs when the part of your ear that regulates hearing and balance, called the labyrinth, becomes inflamed. If you were recently sick and then developed vertigo, you may have labyrinthitis.
Likewise, vestibular neuritis, inflammation of the vestibular nerve, may occur after a viral ear infection. This nerve plays a major role in balance and spatial orientation. You may experience sudden, severe vertigo, which could be accompanied by nausea and/or vomiting.
Vertigo can also be a side effect of medication. Various categories of medication can cause vertigo, from antidepressants to sedatives to blood pressure pills. Check the fine print for side effects and talk to your doctor. If vertigo is a known side effect of any medicine you take, you may be able to switch to another medication or alter the dose.
If you have TMJ or jaw joint issues, you may also suffer from periods of vertigo. Jaw joint inflammation can travel to your inner ears, disrupting your equilibrium.
Do you hover over your computer all day or for hours at night? Perhaps you have “tech neck” from bending your neck down all the way to read your screen. Poor neck and head posture can restrict blood flow to your brain, causing dizziness and vertigo symptoms.
When you’re hunched over your computer so that your neck sticks out over your body, the nerves in your neck relay different signals to your brain than those in your eyes and ears about its position in space. These mixed signals can result in vertigo.
Did you turn your head swiftly when you heard an ambulance siren? Maybe you were trying to fix a broken shelf and turned your head at an awkward angle to screw in a bolt. Now you’re dizzy, and the vertigo won’t stop. A sudden change in head position can cause lingering vertigo.
Dr. Patel reviews your medications, discusses your symptoms, and examines your ears, nose, and throat. Treatment options can range from medication — such as antihistamines or a course of steroids to reduce inflammation — to vestibular rehabilitation therapy.
Dr. Patel also advises you on self-care habits, such as getting out of bed slowly and avoiding rapid head movements. If you have Ménière’s disease, you may benefit from a diuretic and a low salt diet.
Are you living with persistent vertigo? We’re here to help. Call 646-490-4680 to reach Nilesh Patel, MD, in Midtown, New York, today, or use our easy online booking tool to schedule a visit at your convenience.
