Stating that vertigo is not actually a disease but a symptom that manifests itself in many different diseases, Ear, Nose, and Throat Specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mehmet İlhan Şahin said, "People think that vertigo is chronic and will continue throughout life. However, vertigo, which can be detected by special tests, is usually temporary and treatable."
Stating that vertigo is a feeling of nausea and dizziness accompanied by vomiting, Yeditepe University Hospitals Ear, Nose, and Throat Specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mehmet İlhan Şahin said that usually, ear diseases cause vertigo, but sometimes they can also be caused by diseases related to the central nervous system such as the brain, cerebellum, and spinal cord.
Referring to the fact that vertigo sometimes manifests itself only with dizziness, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Şahin said, "In some people, this may be accompanied by symptoms such as tinnitus, pressure sensation, and hearing loss. For this reason, those who have complaints should definitely see an otolaryngologist or a neurologist."
"Treatment Varies Depending on the Underlying Cause"
Emphasizing that people are generally afraid of vertigo and think of vertigo as a chronic disease, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Şahin said that vertigo can be treated with the right diagnosis and is usually temporary. However, emphasizing that vertigo may become chronic if the correct diagnosis is not made and the correct treatment is not applied, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Şahin said, "With some findings during the examination, the patient is not diagnosed with 'you have vertigo'. We try to find the cause of vertigo with several special balance and hearing tests we perform on the patient. Treatment is also applied in this direction. Therefore, sentences such as 'there is no cure for vertigo' are not correct. When the disease that causes vertigo is clear, the treatment changes accordingly.
Not All Dizziness Is Caused by Vertigo!
Underlining that every dizziness is not vertigo, as most of the patients know wrongly, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Şahin said: "Vertigo develops very suddenly and quickly in some patients; it continues for a while, then completely passes. But it repeats itself over the years. In some, it is mild and progresses over time. However, not all dizziness is vertigo. In vertigo, there is a feeling as if the environment or itself is spinning. Some patients also say 'my head is spinning' when they lose their balance, blacking out. But this is not medically vertigo for us. For example, in the case of low blood pressure, loss of balance that occurs when the eyes are dark, and the ear is ringing when they get up from sitting or lying down is also not vertigo. Therefore, the correct diagnosis is very important."
"It Can Occur at Any Age"
Expressing that vertigo is seen in different age groups with different diseases, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Şahin said, "The diseases of vertigo seen in children, or elderly individuals are different. It is rare in children at an early age, but slightly more common in adolescents. Middle-aged men and women may have vertigo due to migraines. Vertigo, which is associated with ear infections or internal ear diseases, is also common in both children and adults. Vertigo can be caused by tumors and can also be seen due to the degeneration of the balance organ in advanced ages."
"Beware of Nausea and Vomiting Accompanied by Dizziness!"
Emphasizing that complaints should be taken into consideration and consulted to a physician, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Şahin lastly made the following warnings:
"Patients who have never experienced dizziness in their lives, who suddenly start dizziness one night, nausea, vomiting should apply to emergency services without losing time. Because the cause of this condition may be bleeding in the brain and cerebellum. If the patient has been experiencing dizziness for a while, even for a brief time, they should consult a physician for ear, nose, and throat examination and neurological examination. Dizziness accompanied by nausea and vomiting is a serious condition that affects the quality of life of patients, prevents them from doing work, or driving a car, and sometimes may even cause them to fall. Therefore, it should not be neglected."
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