Take Your Brain for a Spin!
Vertigo is the same as lightheadedness.
True
False
Vertigo is the same as lightheadedness.
Vertigo is the feeling that you or your surroundings are spinning. Lightheadedness is when you feel unsteady or about to faint. Both are often described as dizziness, which can lead to balance problems, falls, and broken bones.
You're more likely to get vertigo when you're:
A child
An adult
It doesn't matter
You're more likely to get vertigo when you're:
The condition is unusual in childhood. The chances of having it go up in your 20s. Of people 65 and older, about 80% have dizziness, and about half of them have the most common kind of vertigo.
Where in your body would you find the key structures for balance?
Spine
Legs and feet
Inner ear
Where in your body would you find the key structures for balance?
The most sensitive and important parts are the vestibular system in your inner ear. It sends signals to your brain about where your body is in space. Your eyes also help you keep your balance, as do your muscles and joints.
What did the main character in Alfred Hitchcock's film Vertigo fear?
Spinning
Heights
Death
What did the main character in Alfred Hitchcock's film Vertigo fear?
The title of the movie is misleading. Sometimes fear of heights (acrophobia) can make you feel dizzy, but most cases of vertigo have nothing to do with being up high or looking far down or up.
What might cause vertigo?
Runner's knee
Heart attack
Migraine headache
What might cause vertigo?
Usually, trouble with your ear -- infections, problems with inner ear fluids (Meniere's disease), non-cancerous tumors, and damage to the vestibular system -- will trigger the spins. Sometimes it's caused by stroke, migraines, or medication side effects.
The most common type of vertigo can be treated with a simple head exercise.
True
False
The most common type of vertigo can be treated with a simple head exercise.
Short spells of a spinning sensation usually aren't life-threatening. When crystals in the inner ear are dislodged, you get benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). Moving your head in a certain way can send the crystals back to the right place. A physical therapist can teach you how to do this.
Does anxiety trigger vertigo?
Yes
No
Does anxiety trigger vertigo?
Stress and anxiety alone don't cause it, but they can make it worse. And if you have an anxiety disorder, a panic attack could make you feel dizzy, faint, nauseous, or even "out of body."
When you have trouble with dizziness, your primary care doctor may send you to a specialist called an:
Ophthalmologist
Orthopedist
Otolaryngologist
When you have trouble with dizziness, your primary care doctor may send you to a specialist called an:
This type of doctor diagnoses and treats disorders of the ear, nose, and throat. Doctors who focus only on ear problems are called otologists or neurotologists.
One way to ease vertigo is to take:
Antihistamines
Aspirin
Zinc supplements
One way to ease vertigo is to take:
If it's not a symptom of an ongoing problem, your doctor may prescribe drugs that block nerve impulses, calm anxiety, and control nausea. Antihistamines, the kind of medicine you take for allergies, can also prevent or lessen motion sickness.
Can playing video games lead to vertigo?
Yes
No
Can playing video games lead to vertigo?
3-D games that create a sense of movement may give you temporary vertigo. 3-D movies may make you feel dizzy or queasy, too.
A great exercise to improve your balance is:
Boxing
Tai chi
Water aerobics
A great exercise to improve your balance is:
Many studies have shown these slow, focused movements strengthen muscles, train your brain, and help you learn to walk more quickly and smoothly.