What Really Happens When Vertigo Strikes
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Have you ever felt as though the room suddenly started spinning while your body was still? This can cause someone to lose their balance, struggle to stand, and even feel nauseous or vomit. This sensation is known as vertigo.
Vertigo is often mistaken for ordinary dizziness, but the two are different. Ordinary dizziness generally makes the head feel light or as though it is floating, whereas vertigo makes someone feel that they or their surroundings are spinning.
So, what actually happens inside the body when vertigo strikes?
- The body’s balance system is disrupted
When vertigo strikes, the vestibular system, which helps regulate the body’s balance, is disrupted. Located in the inner ear, this system works with the eyes and brain to determine the body’s position and movement.
Under normal circumstances, these three parts exchange information so the body can maintain its balance.
However, if one part is disrupted, the brain may receive conflicting information. As a result, someone may feel as though they are spinning or moving even though they are actually still.
- Tiny crystals in the inner ear can move out of place
One common cause of vertigo is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).
This occurs when tiny calcium crystals that should be in a particular part of the inner ear become dislodged and enter the fluid-filled semicircular canals.
These canals detect head movement. When the crystals shift and move inside them, the balance system sends incorrect signals to the brain.
This causes a spinning sensation, particularly when changing head position, such as getting out of bed, turning the head or lying down.
- The eyes move involuntarily
When vertigo strikes, some people experience a condition called nystagmus, in which the eyeballs make repetitive movements that cannot be consciously controlled.
This happens because the balance system is closely connected to the nerves that control eye movement.
When the brain receives conflicting balance signals, eye movements are also affected. As a result, a person may feel that their vision is moving, see their surroundings as wobbling or struggle to focus.
Disruption to the vestibular system affects not only vision but also the body’s ability to maintain its position.
That is why vertigo is often accompanied by unsteadiness, difficulty walking in a straight line, cold sweats, nausea and vomiting.
Nausea occurs because the information received by the balance system and vision is inconsistent with the signals processed by the part of the brain that controls the nausea response.
For some people, an episode of vertigo lasts only a few seconds. Others may experience it for several hours or longer, depending on the cause.
- Vertigo does not always originate in the ear
Although inner-ear disorders are the most common cause, vertigo can also stem from problems in the central nervous system, including the brain.
Peripheral vertigo is usually associated with problems in the inner ear or vestibular nerve. Central vertigo, meanwhile, is linked to disorders of the brain, such as stroke or other neurological conditions.
Because the causes differ, treatment for vertigo cannot be the same for everyone.
What should you do when vertigo strikes?
When the spinning sensation begins, sit or lie down somewhere safe straight away to reduce the risk of falling. Avoid sudden head movements and try to rest in a quiet room.
Do not force yourself to walk, drive or carry out activities that require balance.
If vertigo recurs frequently, lasts a long time or interferes with daily activities, you should see a doctor to find out what is causing it.
Be alert: vertigo accompanied by weakness on one side of the body, difficulty speaking, double vision or a sudden severe headache requires emergency medical attention, as it could be a sign of stroke.
By understanding what actually happens when vertigo strikes, people can better recognise its symptoms and avoid assuming that all sensations of dizziness are the same.