Vertigo Capitola

Vertigo

According to the University of California San Francisco, around 40 percent of American adults will experience vertigo at some point in their lives, with women slightly more likely to get it than men. Vertigo is characterized by dizziness and the feeling of movement or a spinning sensation, even when standing still. It is debilitating to everyday life. It can make you feel sick, make it difficult to walk, and also impair your vision and hearing.

What Causes Vertigo?

Vertigo can begin in many different ways, but it is a common symptom after experiencing trauma to the neck or head. It is connected to how your inner ear and brain communicate and is often caused by damage or disruption in your vestibular system or the inner ear. Ear infections and pressure changes inside the inner ear will affect the severity of your dizziness level. There is a neurological connection to vertigo, which means our comprehensive care may be ideal to cure your dizziness.

How is Vertigo Diagnosed?

Our assessment for vertigo starts with a detailed history of your symptoms, including when they began, their severity, and any triggers you've noticed. We'll ask about your balance and coordination and any associated symptoms like nausea or hearing changes.

We then perform physical tests to evaluate your balance and coordination. Neurological examinations will check your reflexes, muscle strength, and sensory function. Specific maneuvers like the Dix-Hallpike test help diagnose benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).

Imaging tests like MRIs or CT scans may be reviewed to exclude other potential causes of vertigo. If blood work or other diagnostic tests are necessary, we will incorporate those results into our assessment. The primary goal is to identify the source of your vertigo and develop a targeted treatment plan. If vertigo affects your life, contact us at (831) 200-0880 to arrange a consultation.