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Dec 02, 2008 -
If you've ever had a little too much to drink, you probably experienced that dizzy sensation where you feel like the room is spinning, know as vertigo in medical-ese. Unfortunately, people diagnosed with Meniere's disease don't have to drink in order to experience such debilitating dizzy spells. Vertigo episodes occur out of the blue, with no apparent cause, in some cases lasting up to eight hours.
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Sep 03, 2008 -
Overview
- Definition
- Causes, incidence, and risk factors
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- Signs and tests
- Treatment
- Expectations (prognosis)
- Complications
- Calling your health care provider
- References
Illustrations
Tympanic membrane
HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M
Definition
Vertigo is a sensation of motion or spinning that leads to dizziness and discomfort.
Vertigo is not the same as light-headedness. People with vertigo feel as though they are actually spinning or moving, or that the environment itself is spinning.
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Sep 03, 2008 -
Overview
- Definition
- Alternative Names
- Causes, incidence, and risk factors
- Symptoms
- Signs and tests
- Treatment
- Expectations (prognosis)
- Complications
- Calling your health care provider
- Prevention
- References
HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M
Definition
Benign positional vertigo causes sudden sensations of spinning, typically provoked by head movement.
See also: Vertigo
Alternative Names
Vertigo - positional
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Benign positional vertigo is the most common cause of vertigo. It is caused by a disturbance within the balance organs of the inner ear. The inner ear has tiny stones that move as you change position, allowing your brain to interpret your body's position and maintain your balance.
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Sep 04, 2008 -
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HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M
Rotational head movements cause the fluid in the cupula of the semicircular canal to "bend" the hair cells. The hair cells, in turn, send a signal to your brain that you are experiencing "motion".
Vertigo can occur when these hair cells are still sending signals of motion, even though you may be perfectly still, giving you the "illusion of movement".
Review Date: 5/3/2006
Reviewed By: A.D.A.M.
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Sep 04, 2008 -
Overview
- Definition
- Alternative Names
- Common Causes
- Home Care
- Call your health care provider if
- What to expect at your health care provider's office
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- References
Illustrations
Carotid stenosis, X-ray of the left artery
Carotid stenosis, X-ray of the right artery
Vertigo
Balance receptors
HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M
Definition
Dizziness is lightheadedness, feeling like you might faint, being unsteady, loss of balance, or vertigo (a feeling that you or the room is spinning or moving).
Most causes of dizziness are not serious and either quickly resolve on their own or are easily treated.
Alternative Names
Lightheadedness - dizzy; Loss of balance; Vertigo
Common Causes
Lightheadedness happens when there is not enough blood getting to the brain.
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Sep 04, 2008 -
Overview
- Definition
- Alternative Names
- How the test is performed
- How to prepare for the test
- How the test will feel
- Why the test is performed
- Normal Values
- What abnormal results mean
- What the risks are
- Special considerations
- References
HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M
Definition
Caloric stimulation is a test which uses differences in temperature to diagnose ear nerve damage.
Alternative Names
Caloric test
How the test is performed
This test stimulates the inner ear and nearby nerves by delivering cold and warm water to the ear canal at different times. Sometimes, the test is done using air instead of water.
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Sep 04, 2008 -
Overview
- Definition
- Alternative Names
- How the test is performed
- How to prepare for the test
- How the test will feel
- Why the test is performed
- Normal Values
- What abnormal results mean
- What the risks are
HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M
Definition
Electronystagmography is a test to look at voluntary and involuntary eye movements. It evaluates the acoustic nerve, which aids with hearing and balance.
Alternative Names
ENG
How the test is performed
Patches called electrodes (similar to those used with ECG, but smaller) are placed to above, below, and to the side of each eye.
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Sep 03, 2008 -
Overview
- Definition
- Alternative Names
- Causes, incidence, and risk factors
- Symptoms
- Signs and tests
- Treatment
- Expectations (prognosis)
- Complications
- Calling your health care provider
- Prevention
Illustrations
Ear anatomy
HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M
Definition
Labyrinthitis is an ear disorder that involves irritation and swelling of the inner ear.
Alternative Names
Bacterial labyrinthitis; Serous labyrinthitis
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
The cause of labyrinthitis is unknown. However, it commonly occurs after otitis media (ear infection) or an upper respiratory infection, so it is thought to be related to infection with a virus or bacteria.
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Sep 03, 2008 -
Overview
- Definition
- Alternative Names
- Causes, incidence, and risk factors
- Symptoms
- Signs and tests
- Treatment
- Expectations (prognosis)
- Complications
- Calling your health care provider
- Prevention
Illustrations
Ear anatomy
Tympanic membrane
HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M
Definition
Meniere's disease is a disorder of the inner ear affecting balance and hearing, characterized by abnormal sensation of movement (vertigo), dizziness, loss of hearing in one or both ears, and noises or ringing in the ear (tinnitus).
Alternative Names
Hydrops; Endolymphatic hydrops
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
The fluid-filled semicircular canals (labyrinths) of the inner ear, in conjunction with the cranial nerve VIII, control balance and sense of body position. Meniere's disease involves a swelling of part of the canal (endolymphatic sac).
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Sep 03, 2008 -
Overview
- Definition
- Alternative Names
- Causes, incidence, and risk factors
- Symptoms
- Signs and tests
- Treatment
- Expectations (prognosis)
- Complications
- Calling your health care provider
- References
Illustrations
Central nervous system
HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M
Definition
An acoustic neuroma is a noncancerous (benign), often slow-growing tumor of the nerve that connects the ear to the brain.
Alternative Names
Vestibular schwannoma; Tumor - acoustic; Cerebellopontine angle tumor; Angle tumor
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
These tumors are thought to occur when there is a defect in a gene that normally prevents tumors from forming. The cause of the genetic defect is not known.
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