Vertigo Effects
Vertigo is caused by an imbalance in the inner ear or sometimes by mild brain damage caused by a blow to the head. It comes and goes without warning, lasting anywhere from a few minutes to several hours. Doctors can treat it with canalith repositioning procedures, with antibiotics in the case of infection and, in rare cases, with surgery. As difficult as it can be to deal with, the prognosis for vertigo is usually very good.
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Symptoms
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Vertigo generally manifests as a sudden sense of dizziness and the perception that your surroundings are spinning even if you aren't moving. Your head may feel light and you may not be able to stay upright. In some cases, vertigo also entails blurry vision and increased levels of nausea.
Causes
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Misalignment of the vestibular system in the inner ear causes the dizziness of vertigo. The system's canals are surrounded by fluid, which is picked up by the vestibular nerve and passed on to the brain. When the fluid is misaligned, it triggers the effects of vertigo if you stand up or move in a particular way. (The exact way depends on the individual patient.)
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Frequency
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The National Institute of Health estimates that 4 in every 10 Americans experience vertigo at some point in their lives. Women tend to experience it more often them men and the chances of a vertigo attack go up with increased age. In some cases, an earlier blow to the head may increase the chances of vertigo. (You may not experience the effects right away, but they may appear later after the injury has healed.)
Preparation
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Because vertigo can arise without warning, those who suffer from it must take steps to prepare themselves in the event of an attack. Stay away from stairs, ladders and rooftops--anywhere that may cause serious damage if you suddenly lose your balance. When an attack comes, look for somewhere to sit down comfortably and wait until it passes. If you get up in the middle of the night, turn the lights on so you can see where you're going; it can keep you from falling. In severe cases, you may wish to carry a cane, which you can use to brace yourself during the onset of vertigo.
Coping
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In most cases, vertigo fades over time and won't return to bother you again. In the meantime, concentrate on coping with the symptoms. One common technique is visual fixation, which means focusing on a fixed point in the distance whenever vertigo strikes. It helps mitigate the symptoms and shortens the duration of the attacks. Your doctor can recommend similar coping mechanisms as well.
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