1. What is Dizziness or Vertigo? Are they the same thing?
The word "Vertigo", which is translated into Turkish as dizziness and has its origins in Latin, is a very common problem that concerns many branches. It is a symptom (that is, a complaint of the patient) that has been described by some as the worst feeling a person can experience, and it is not a disease. This means that it is a finding that can be found in many diseases and requires clarification of the underlying disease.
2. Can we call the slight imbalance felt sometimes as vertigo?
Unlike the Vertigo we just mentioned, patients sometimes apply with the complaint of imbalance, which we call dizzines. This is a condition that is frequently encountered the next day after a ship or bus journey, or after drinking alcohol. It is a condition that may be accompanied by psychological or unknown reasons and usually resolves on its own in a short time. There is no dizziness here, there is a feeling of imbalance, as if in a slight void. In addition, there is a condition defined as "position-related decrease in blood pressure", which we call "Orthostatic hypotension", which can often be confused with real vertigo, and this condition is generally seen in women. It is a condition of low blood pressure, blurred vision and mild imbalance during sudden movements against gravity. We recommend our patients in this situation to avoid sudden landing and take-off movements.
3. Which doctor should I consult due to dizziness?
The semicircular canals in the inner ear, the eye, joints, and the brain-cerebellum are mainly responsible for the formation of our balance system. We call the ones related to the brain and cerebellum central vertigo causes, which are within the field of interest of the Neurology branch. Patients describe this condition as feeling like the ground is shifting under my feet, feeling like I'm in space, feeling like I'm rocking while standing on a boat, and my head is spinning around you. Dizziness other than these is peripheral (i.e. peripheral), and typically the feeling of the environment spinning is at the forefront. Patients describe this situation as "the world is spinning around." The main environmental causes originate from the inner ear semicircular canals and cochlea. This type of dizziness begins suddenly and loudly, is usually severe, and is often accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Especially Those originating from the inner ear may sometimes be accompanied by hearing loss or tinnitus.
In summary, the first distinction between Neurologist or ENT: If things are spinning, if it started suddenly and severely, if there is hearing loss and tinnitus, ENT; If it starts slowly and is mild and the feeling of your head spinning around the person or being stuck in space is appropriate, it would be appropriate to consult a Neurologist
4. What kind of diseases do you encounter with vertigo other than the accumulation of crystals?
Other common causes of dizziness are Vestibular neurinitis (inflammation of the balance nerve, Meniere's disease (inner ear tension), Psychological dizziness, Vertebrobasilar insufficiency (inflammation of the arteries passing through the neck). narrowing due to various reasons).
To briefly talk about these, Vetibular neurinitis is a condition that usually occurs after respiratory tract infections and is characterized by constant dizziness and nausea and vomiting for a few weeks. Dizziness is quite disturbing and can be experienced for a few weeks. It may be necessary to be hospitalized for a few days.
Another common condition is Meniere's disease, which is due to the increase in the pressure of the inner ear fluid. Here, varying hearing loss and fullness in the ear, which we call fluctuating hearing loss, are typical. The attacks are very severe and the initial loss of hearing occurs after the attack. It returns to normal, but over time, the frequency of attacks increases and hearing loss begins to become permanent. We apply different treatments in the treatment and prevention of Meniere's disease. For prevention, we mainly use salt restriction and diuretics that reduce middle ear pressure.
Another common condition is Vertebrobasilar insufficiency, which actually concerns the branch of neurology. This condition is due to blockage of the vessels that carry blood from the heart to the cerebellum and brain, and is accompanied by neck hernias and calcifications. It is especially common in people over the age of 60. These can be diagnosed accurately by Doppler ultrasonography, and medications or treatments for neck hernia and calcification, if any, can be applied.
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