Vertigo is a painful condition that affects millions of people around the world, making their daily lives and health worse. For those seeking professional guidance and treatment, consulting a vertigo neurologist is a crucial step toward finding relief. South Valley Neurology, located in South Valley, is an established facility offering neurological treatment. Their comprehensive services allow them to diagnose and treat vertigo successfully. Below we explore vestibular testing as a form of evaluation used by neurologists for diagnosing and treating vertigo respectively.
Understanding Vertigo
Vertigo occurs when you feel dizzy, nauseated, and unpleasant. Inner ear diseases, neurological conditions, and drug side effects can cause this ailment. Neurologists can identify its cause and provide customized treatment.
The Role Of Vestibular Testing
Vestibular testing is essential for vertigo diagnosis. The tests examine the vestibular system’s (inner ears and nerve connections that control balance and orientation) function so neurologists may adjust treatment.
Common Vestibular Tests
Dix-Hallpike Test: One of the main causes of dizziness, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), can be diagnosed quickly with the Dix-Hallpike test. A sequence of head and body movements will cause BPPV symptoms before neurologists closely examine eye movement to make an appropriate assessment.
Caloric Test: By infusing each inner ear with warm and cold water or air, this test assesses its function. After infusing each inner ear with both hot and cold fluid, any involuntary eye movements known as nystagmus to assess vestibular system integrity are observed as indicators for vertigo caused by either peripheral or central vestibular diseases can also be monitored to help facilitate diagnosis.
Videonystagmography (VNG): Vestibular Neurogenesis (VNG) is an infrared goggle technique which records and analyses eye movement across different head and body postures, providing a thorough evaluation of an individual’s vestibular health as well as helping with diagnosing specific medical conditions, like Meniere’s Disease or Vestibular Neuritis.
Electrocochleography (ECOG): Electrocochlear Grafting (ECOG), commonly referred to by its abbreviation name, is an electrophysiologic test which measures and analyzes electrical potentials created from fluctuations in sound or pressure fluctuations to identify hidden disorders like Meniere’s disease as well as conditions linked to elevated inner ear pressure such as migraine. Furthermore, this technique may detect hidden conditions relating to elevated inner ear pressure such as migraine.
Rotary Chair Test: Neurologists conduct this test on patients to measure vestibular function and response to rotational stimuli by placing them in a rotating chair and subjecting them to controlled spinning while monitoring eye movement.
Treatment Options
Once the neurologist for vertigo at South Valley Neurology has identified the underlying cause of vertigo through vestibular testing, they can recommend an appropriate treatment plan. Treatment choices depend on the condition, but some examples are:
Medication: Antihistamines or antiemetics may help manage vertigo symptoms effectively, including nausea and dizziness relief.
Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT): Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy, more commonly referred to as VRT, is an exercise program developed specifically for people experiencing dizziness or loss of equilibrium due to neurological problems. Specialists may recommend VRT exercises through neurologists; alternatively they could refer their patients directly to physical therapists with experience providing VRT exercises in order to restore equilibrium and avoid further episodes of dizziness.
Surgical Intervention: When medication and therapy alone do not provide relief, surgical options should be explored as potential remedies. Surgery can address specific causes, like extracting crystals from within your ear in BPPV cases or placing a shunt to manage Meniere’s.
Lifestyle Modifications: As part of their treatment for dizziness, you might be advised to make changes in lifestyle in order to curb dizziness – such as decreasing sodium consumption if Meniere’s syndrome exists and staying away from things which increase vestibular disorders.
Counseling And Support: Dealing with chronic vertigo can be extremely emotional. Neurologists may refer their patients for counseling or support groups in order to address its psychological impact on them.
Conclusion
Vertigo is an inextricably linked condition, necessitating an integrated approach for its diagnosis and management. South Valley Neurology’s expert neurologists for vertigo utilize various vestibular tests to accurately pinpoint its root causes; once diagnosed, tailored treatment plans will then be designed in order to enhance quality-of-life measures for their patients.
If you or a loved one is living with vertigo, seeking professional guidance at South Valley Neurology to find relief could make all the difference in finding relief from it. Vestibular testing plays an integral part of this journey to lead towards more stable lives.
