Vertigo

Vertigo is the sensation that the room is moving or spinning around you. It's more than a simple case of lightheadedness and, unlike dizziness, vertigo will not normally go away on its own.

Many things can trigger an onset of vertigo: head injury, ear infection, aging or a quick forceful turn of the head like those experienced in a car accident.

The sensations of dizziness, spinning or nausea are caused when tiny particles of the inner ear break loose, fall into the ear canal and drift where they don't belong. The symptoms of vertigo can come and go as the particles make their way around and out of the ear canal. You can experience vertigo while lying down, getting up, rolling over, turning your head and even looking up or down.

Fortunately, vertigo is treatable. Medications can ease the symptoms, especially in cases where an ear infection is involved. But to help you recover fully, your Mercy doctor may prescribe repositioning therapy.

There are two types of repositioning therapy, known as Epley and Semont maneuvers. A doctor or physical therapist positions your body in ways that allow the floating particles in your ear to move, clear your ear canal and relieve your symptoms. These sessions typically last between 30-60 minutes. It may take two to three sessions to keep your symptoms from returning.

As always, your health is health is handled by a care team. Your doctors and physical therapists coordinate plans to get you back to doing what you love.