Vertigo makes it seem like the room is moving or spinning thanks to a problem with the inner ear. That usually isn’t a serious condition, but it can affect an individual’s quality of life when it occurs frequently. Patients in Tustin and Los Alamitos, California who have vertigo can find relief from it at Tustin Ear, Nose & Throat, Sinus and Allergy Center under the care of Dr. Charles Oh.

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What is Vertigo?

Vertigo refers to the sensation that an individual’s surroundings are in motion. That happens due to problems with the signals going from the inner ear, eyes, and sensory nerves to the brain. When the brain gets different pieces of information about the body’s motion and position, vertigo results.

Although vertigo is usually mild and temporary, it can increase the risk of falls and make it hard for patients to go about their daily routine.

What Causes Vertigo?

Vertigo has multiple possible causes. These include viral infections that affect the vestibular nerve, Meniere’s disease, and migraines. Meniere’s disease occurs when fluid accumulates in the inner ear, causing vertigo that lasts for hours at a time. Vertigo associated with migraines can last for a short period or linger for hours. Some patients have a condition called benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). This condition, which is more common than other causes of vertigo, causes vertigo from sudden head movements.

What are the Symptoms of Vertigo?

The most common symptom of vertigo is feeling as though the room or environment is spinning. Other symptoms that can occur include nausea and vomiting. Some patients also experience trouble with their sense of balance. Symptoms of vertigo tend to occur in episodes that last from 1 minute or less to several hours at a time. In some cases, symptoms come and go repeatedly.

How often patients experience vertigo depends on the underlying cause. Those with BPPV might have vertigo off and on for extended periods of time, while those with a viral infection might only have a few episodes of vertigo.

How Does Dr. Oh Treat Vertigo?

Dr. Oh determines treatment options for vertigo depending on the underlying cause. Some patients end up needing physical therapy that makes the vestibular system stronger, while others benefit from the canal with repositioning maneuvers. These maneuvers, which Dr. Oh typically uses for BPPV, involve moving the body and head in specific positions.

Other treatment options include antibiotics or steroids for underlying infections, diuretics for Meniere’s disease, and over-the-counter medications for nausea. Dr. Oh might recommend surgery to correct inner ear problems when other forms of treatment for vertigo aren’t effective.

To find help for vertigo, please contact Tustin Ear, Nose & Throat, Sinus and Allergy Center to make an appointment with Dr. Oh.