Will Vertigo Get You In a Spin

Have you wondered why you sometimes feel dizzy when you suddenly stand up after bending down for some time? The reason is that the balance mechanism in your ears cannot communicate to your brain quickly enough. This is only a very mild problem and very quickly corrects itself.
Some people experience this feeling considerably more often and it becomes very disabling. This symptom is known as Vertigo and can cause a nauseating feeling that everything is spinning around you.
The balance mechanism is situated in the inner ear and consists of three fluid filled canals with very tiny hair cells. When the head moves the fluid in these canals moves causing the hair cells to move, this movement is then transmitted to the brain by electrical impulses, which it then interprets as a signal that the body is changing its position.
The most common type of vertigo is called Benign Positional Vertigo. The sufferer may experience this when suddenly changing positions such as sitting up quickly or turning over in bed. This type of Vertigo usually only lasts a very short time and is caused by small crystals forming in the fluid channels in the inner ear. These can tumble about giving a false reading to the brain.
Another cause of Vertigo is called Viral Neuronitis which is caused by an inflammation of the hair cells in the inner ear. This is usually caused by a virus infection and if not treated quickly can cause incapacity for a number of days. The feeling gradually decreasing as the virus infection is controlled.
Thirdly acute Labyrinthitis Vertigo is also caused by a virus infection but can be a much more permanent problem. In the worst cases Hearing Loss and Tinnitus can result as well as vertigo.
Finally Menire`s disease which also causes bouts of Vertigo but can also include hearing loss and Tinnitus.
If the symptoms of Vertigo persist it is most important that the sufferer should be examined by a GP as soon as possible. Delaying treatment in the early stages can result in permanent damage and increased problems of Vertigo.
To check your hearing and help you decide if you have any hearing loss visit Hearing Test