Cause | Vertigo

Cause

The causes for the occurrence of dizziness are numerous. Frequently, the dizziness has harmless causes. In some cases, dizziness is even normal, such as on a boat trip or when sitting in a car or in an airplane, because of an unusual irritation and short-term irritation of the sensory organs that is unknown to the body.

This is called physiological dizziness.Mainly involved in the development of vertigo are the organ of balance (vestibular organ), which is located in the inner ear, and the central nervous system, the brain. If pathological changes in the organ of equilibrium, the inner ear or the brain lead to dizziness, this is called pathological dizziness (pathological vertigo). Roughly speaking, one can distinguish three groups of pathological dizziness: Central dizziness involves damage to the central nervous system, i.e. the brain.

These include in particular tumors of the brain, inflammation of the brain and the meninges, circulatory disorders or bleeding in the brain, and craniocerebral trauma. Peripheral vertigo is characterized by damage to the organ of balance in the inner ear or to the nerve that transmits information from the organ of balance to the brain. Here, three clinical pictures are of great importance due to their frequency: Rarer causes of peripheral vertigo are tumors, injuries or toxins.

The third form of pathological dizziness (pathological vertigo), phobic dizziness, which can also be described as mental vertigo, usually occurs in psychologically stressful situations and is accompanied by a strong feeling of anxiety. This form of dizziness often occurs in people who suffer from depression or anxiety disorders. Furthermore, diseases of the cardiovascular system and orthopedic diseases, such as the cervical spine syndrome, can be the cause of dizziness.

  • Central vertigo
  • Peripheral vertigo
  • Phobic dizziness
  • Paroxysmal positional vertigo: After changing the position of the head, dizziness persists for a few seconds. Those affected often describe dizziness while lying down or sleeping after turning the head to one side. The reason for the recurring dizziness is small calcium carbonate stones in the organ of equilibrium of the inner ear, which irritate the organ of equilibrium during head movements.
  • Menière’s disease: Menière’s disease is characterized by dizziness attacks lasting for minutes with no recognizable trigger.

    This is also caused by an irritation of the organ of balance in the inner ear, but in this case by a fluid, the so-called endolymph. On the diseased side, hearing loss and ringing in the ears also occur characteristically.

  • Vestibular neuritis: Here, an inflammation of the nerve that transmits information from the vestibular organ to the brain leads to episodes of dizziness lasting hours or days.

Dizziness in the head is caused by a disturbance in the interaction of various sensory organs responsible for balance and orientation in space. Dizziness in the head is very common and is usually accompanied by other complaints such as nausea, vomiting, insecurity when walking and standing, and a tendency to fall.

Dizziness in the head can occur without any medical value, but also in the context of various diseases and should be clarified by a doctor if it occurs more frequently or if it persists for a longer period of time. Depending on the cause of the dizziness in the head, different therapy concepts can be considered. If dizziness occurs when lying down, this may indicate the presence of paroxysmal positioning vertigo or cervicogenic vertigo.

In the case of paroxysmal positional vertigo, dizziness lasting for a few seconds always occurs after the head has changed position. Those affected often describe dizziness when lying down after turning the head to one side. The reason for the recurring dizziness is small calcium carbonate stones in the organ of balance of the inner ear, which irritate the organ of balance when the head is moved.

In order to make a diagnosis, in addition to a detailed anamnesis and physical examination, a positioning maneuver is performed. During this maneuver, the affected person is expected to perform certain movements, which may eventually provoke dizziness. In order to treat paroxysmal positional vertigo, a positioning maneuver is also performed in which an attempt is made to move the small calcium carbonate stones that irritate the organ of equilibrium through movements and rotations of the body and head so that no more dizziness occurs.

Pathological changes in the cervical spine can also cause dizziness when lying down. This is then called cervicogenic dizziness. To treat cervicogenic vertigo, drug therapy and physiotherapy are used.

Dizziness can also occur during pregnancy, often accompanied by nausea and vomiting. These dizzy spells are usually harmless.The reason for dizziness during pregnancy is usually a drop in blood pressure, which can be aggravated by getting up quickly from a sitting or lying position and by insufficient fluid and food intake. In these cases, dizziness can be prevented with light physical activity, sufficient drinking and regular food intake.

If the dizziness persists for a long period of time, a doctor, for example a gynecologist, can be consulted. Dizziness in combination with balance problems is also a very common symptom in children. However, dizziness in children usually has different causes than in adults.

The most common cause of dizziness in children and young adults is migraine. Typically, episodes of rotational vertigo occur, followed by visual disturbances, sensitivity to light and noise and finally headaches. Inflammations of the vestibular nerves caused by viruses or bacteria are also common, as are defects in the vestibular organs of the inner ear, so-called fistulas.

In young adults, low blood pressure can also be the cause of dizziness. The same procedures as for adults can be used to make a diagnosis. Depending on the cause of the dizziness in children, treatment may involve medication, physiotherapy and psychotherapy. In most cases the treatment is successful, so that dizziness in children and young adults has a good prognosis overall.