Vertigo Testing & Treatment in Dover, NH

Vertigo is the experience of sudden dizziness and feeling like the space you are in is spinning. This mild to severe spell of dizziness is usually activated when there are changes to head position – lying down, sitting up, moving head up and down etc. This sensation can be a temporary or infrequent occurrence as well as be experienced chronically. Vertigo is a symptom of an underlying health condition that needs to be diagnosed and treated. Underlying conditions that can trigger vertigo are associated with the inner ear, brain, or sensory nerve pathway. Vertigo testing and treatment is part of the comprehensive services that we provide to strengthen overall health!

Types of Vertigo

The two types of vertigo are:

An estimated 80% of the vertigo that people experience is peripheral vertigo. This type is usually caused by inner ear related issues. The inner ear consists of small organs, nerves, hair cells, and auditory pathways that work to send information to the brain. This information is related to sound, movement, position etc. which helps maintain balance. When these components in the inner ear are damaged or impacted, it can trigger vertigo

Treatment depends on the specific type and cause of vertigo. There are different tests used to identify and diagnose vertigo which we provide!

Woman holding her hands on her forehead and chest

Symptoms & Causes

Vertigo symptoms typically last less than one minute and can be experienced seldomly or recurring. Common symptoms include the following:

Loss of balance, feeling unsteady
Nausea, vomiting
Lightheadedness
Headaches
Feeling like the environment is spinning

Though different activities can trigger vertigo, it usually involves changes in head position. Vertigo can be chronic which should be evaluated as soon as possible.

Common conditions that produce vertigo as a symptom include:

Identifying the condition that is related to vertigo is essential to providing effective treatment. At Northeast Audiology we focus on testing and treatment related to the ear. The testing we provide is an effective way to diagnose BPPV, also known as positional vertigo.

Diagnosis & Treatment

At Northeast Audiology, we provide balance testing and can work with your medical doctor to effectively diagnose and treat vertigo. Balance, or vestibular testing, is a way to examine the vestibular system. This includes the vestibular nerve and other components of the inner ear that contribute to balance. Videonystagmography (VNG) testing involves wearing goggles that have cameras which focus on the eyes. While wearing these goggles, you will be asked to perform different tasks that require focusing visually and the camera will record your movements. This captures information about the vestibular system in each ear which provides critical insight on any underlying issues that could be contributing to vertigo.

The most common type of vertigo, BPPV, can be treated effectively with a type of therapy called the Epley maneuver. This involves placing the head in specific positions that help reposition the otoconia – the tiny ear crystals that are displaced, causing vertigo.

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