Dizzy spells, vertigo

[medimanda]

I am currently experiencing a bout of vertigo. It has only happened once before, last August 2008 for about 6 weeks off and on. It has just recently began in the last week, again off and on. I would just suddenly start feeling fuzzy and my eyes can't focus so I just have to closed my eyes. My doctor tells me it's a virus which affects my inner ear. She perscribed me meds for the vertigo/dizzy spells symptom, but nothing for the actual problem. Is there anything I can do to cure such an illness from happening again in the future? I have never had problems like this before last August, and it is the exact same symptoms. Fuzzy head, heavy head feeling as if I can't lift it off the pillow in the morning, and when the spins get going and are really bad, I am sick to my stomach. I am a healthy and active 24 year old. Not overweight, no health concerns other than occasional migraines (which I have endured for about 19 years). Any help would be appreciated.

[doctornee medical]

Hi
Thanks for writing to the forum!
“Vertigo can be caused by disorders of body parts that are involved in maintaining balance:
• Inner ear
• Brain stem and cerebellum
• Nerve tracts connecting the brain stem and cerebellum or within the brain stem
Inner Ear Disorders: Most commonly, vertigo results from motion sickness. Motion sickness may develop in people whose inner ear is sensitive to particular motions, such as swaying or sudden stopping and starting.
Another common cause of vertigo is an abnormal collection of calcium particles in one semicircular canal of the inner ear. The resulting disorder, called benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, or BPPV, is especially common among older people. It occurs when the head is moved in certain ways.
Meniere's disease produces attacks of vertigo. The cause of Meniere's disease is thought to involve excess fluid in the inner ear (hydrops). What triggers this is unknown, but it may result from an autoimmune reaction, an allergy, an imbalance in the autonomic nervous system, a blockage to certain structures in the ear, or a viral infection.
Disorders of the vestibulocochlear nerve can cause vertigo, a hearing disorder, or both.
Other disorders that may cause vertigo by affecting the inner ear or its nerve connections include the following:
• Bacterial or viral infections, such as vestibular neuritis, herpes zoster, and mastoiditis
• Paget's disease
• Tumors, such as an auditory nerve tumor
• Inflammation of nerves
The inner ear may also be damaged by drugs, such as aminoglycoside antibiotics, aspirin
, the chemotherapy drug cisplatin, the sedative Phenobarbital, the anticonvulsant phenytoin, the antipsychotic chlorpromazine and certain diuretics including furosemide Excessive use of alcohol can cause temporary vertigo.
Disorders That Affect the Brain: A decrease in the blood supply through arteries to the brain stem, cerebellum, and back of the brain can cause vertigo. This decrease is called vertebrobasilar insufficiency because the arteries affected include the vertebral and basilar arteries. If the decreased blood supply causes temporary symptoms, a transient ischemic attack (TIA) is diagnosed. If permanent damage results, a stroke is diagnosed.
Less common disorders that cause vertigo by affecting the brain stem or cerebellum include multiple sclerosis, fractures at the base of the skull, head injuries, seizures, infections, and tumors growing in or near the base of the brain. Vertigo can sometimes be part of a migraine attack and occasionally occur without the headache.
Occasionally, vertigo is caused by disorders that suddenly increase pressure within the skull, putting pressure on the brain. These disorders include benign intracranial hypertension, brain tumors, and bleeding (hemorrhage) within the skull.” Refer: http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec06/ch080/ch080c.html

Hope this helps. I think you should discuss these possibilities with your doctor. It is difficult to comment beyond this without examining. A comprehensive investigation is required keeping all the points in mind. Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!

[Encephalomalcia]

Vertigo, a feeling like the room is spinning in a circle, can also be caused by the neck being out of alignment.  If your neck is out of alignment, you can keep getting reoccurring ear infections.  You can see a chiropractor, if you do not already see one, to have your neck examined.  Your neck may need to be adjusted, which is very easily done.  Chiropractors can help with ear infections, sinus infections, and dizziness or vertigo.  I worked for a chiropractor and he is still my chiropractor for my spinal health needs.  I am so amazed at how much better I feel when I leave his office.    Hope the vertigo goes away.  I have it also and have had vertigo with different degrees for 25 years.  I believe mine to be caused by my neck and allergies (sinuses).  Take care.