Peripheral Vertigo

Peripheral vertigo is generally very symptomatic, with prominent nausea and vomiting. Positioning may dramatically increase the severity of symptoms. History or physical examination may reveal otitis media, recent upper respiratory tract infection, previous exposure to ototoxic drugs, or recurrent episodes with progressive tinnitus and deafness (Meniere's disease). Often a precipitant cannot be found, and a diagnosis of benign positional vertigo is made.

Causes

• Peripheral vertigo may be occurs due to problem with the portion of the inner ear that controls balance, or with the vestibular nerve.
• Other common causes of peripheral vertigo include migraine, which presents symptoms of vertigo over a number of hours and is seen only in patients with a positive history of headache.
• Peripheral Vertigo may also cause due to head trauma, especially in patients younger than 50 years of age.

Symptoms

• Profound vertigo ++++
• Nausea and vomiting

Signs

• Neurologic examination is normal.
• Nystagmus is typically horizontal or rotary, never vertical, and typically ,brought about by changes in head position. Generally, after the patient is asked to look laterally, a brief period elapses before nystagmus occurs. The nystagmus should be time limited. Nystagmus is suppressed by visual fixation.

Treatment

• You can treat Peripheral Vertigo using medications such as antihistamines, anticholinergics, and benzodiazepines. Medications is prescribed to reduce symptoms of peripheral vertigo. Certain exercises may also be helpful.
• Another treatment for Peripheral Vertigo, In which you should try to avoid head positions that may cause vertigo. Use caution in situations such as driving or operating heavy equipment, where even short episodes of vertigo may be dangerous.
• Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) is a type of physical therapy used to treat vertigo. The goal of this treatment is to minimize dizziness, improve balance, and prevent falls by restoring normal function of the vestibular system.