If you have been experiencing bouts of dizziness a lot lately, your primary physician might refer you to a neurologist. A neurologist is a doctor that specializes in nerve-related health problems, and your dizziness might very well be an issue relating to your nerves. When you visit a neurologist for this problem, he or she might begin by determining if your problems are being caused by vertigo. Vertigo is a common condition that a neurologist can diagnose and treat, and here are several things you should know about vertigo.
What Is Vertigo?
Vertigo is a condition that leaves you feeling like the room is spinning. These sensations can occur at any time and can leave you feeling sick. When you experience these feelings, the best thing you can do is sit or lie down. This can momentarily stop the dizziness from occurring.
If you have vertigo, you may feel like you cannot stand up or see straight, and you might even experience headaches or ringing in your ears. Every case is different, and some people experience only one symptom, while others experience all these symptoms.
What Causes Vertigo?
Vertigo can occur for several reasons, but the main reason is from a problem found inside your inner ear. When the inner part of your ear becomes inflamed or develops small stones, it leads to irritation. The ear then sends signals to the brain, and these signals relate to balance. The result of this can be the feelings of dizziness. Another form of vertigo is caused by a problem in the spinal cord or brain, and this form typically occurs if a person experiences trauma to the back or neck.
How Do Doctors Diagnose Vertigo?
To find out if you have vertigo, a neurologist will begin by asking you questions about your health and the feelings you get. After this, the doctor might perform one or more tests to try to diagnose the condition. One of these tests is called a head-thrust test. This will involve looking at the doctor while he or she makes quick movements. If you get dizzy during this, it could be a result of vertigo. There are other tests the doctor can also use to determine if this is what you have.
If the doctor is having problems determining if this is what is causing your dizziness, or if the doctor wants to find out if the problem stems from your brain or spinal cord, he or she might suggest having a CT scan or MRI. These tests can detect if there is a problem in these areas that might be causing you to feel dizzy. These tests are typically only used if a doctor believes the dizziness might be a result of a stroke or some other type of serious health condition.
How Is Vertigo Treated?
In most cases, doctors treat vertigo with vestibular blocking agents (VBAs). These medications are designed to reduce the feelings of motion sickness, and they will often help a person who suffers from vertigo.
Doctors can also treat this condition with a procedure called the Epley maneuver. This procedure is done while sitting on a bed with your legs in front of you. During this, the doctor will have you turn your head to the side that typically causes you to experience vertigo symptoms. Once you do this, the doctor will then move you to a position where you are lying down with your head off the table. This typically causes the symptoms to worsen, but it can also train your ears to communicate properly with your brain, and this can help relieve symptoms for several weeks.
If you are feeling dizzy a lot and would like to get diagnosed and treated for this, talk to your doctor to see if he or she will refer you to a neurologist for help. You can contact a neurologist at a site like http://www.billingsclinic.com.
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