There are several disorders that cause a sudden very severe spell of vertigo. Usually this will be diagnosed as vestibular neuritis, a viral infection of the balance portion of the nerve to the inner ear that causes the nerve to shut down. A nerve can have sudden damage from a variety of other causes, and it can be easy (but dangerous) to overlook these.
Continue reading “Something rare: Wallenberg syndrome “Ask the Doctor: Half Somersault tip
When using the Half Somersault maneuver for BPPV, do you keep your eyes open like you do during the Epley maneuver?
Both of these maneuvers are used to treat BPPV, the form of vertigo that lasts for several seconds and is set off by rolling over in bed or arising quickly. When health care providers do an Epley maneuver, they will ask you to keep your eyes open. This allows the provider to see if your eyes are moving (nystagmus). The way your eyes move helps them prove whether your vertigo is due to BPPV or to another cause. The nystagmus of the most common form of BPPV is quite violent, with the eyes appearing to “beat” upward and twisting in an arc for several seconds. If the provider sees this, they will be assured that doing an Epley maneuver has a good chance of resolving the problem. Keeping your eyes open is only for them—it doesn’t do you any good.
Continue reading “Ask the Doctor: Half Somersault tip”Virtual Reality Headsets and Visual Dizziness
As more and more people engage in VR gaming, an unfortunate side effect has become clear: it can make you feel very dizzy, even to the point of feeling queasy. Why in the metaverse does this happen, and what can help reduce this problem?
Continue reading “Virtual Reality Headsets and Visual Dizziness”
Ending Vertigo Today 