Vertigo


September 7, 2012

The human body has three organs that assist in locating your location in space:

  1. Your eyes see the horizon,
  2. Your feet feel the effects of gravity on your body, and
  3. Your inner ear organs can detect your location in three-dimensions by the movement of inner ear fluids within bony channels.

Data from all three locations is fed into your brain. A discrepancy in the data will cause a sensation of vertigo.

A spinning sensation when you turn your head may represent vertigo. The inner ear is often the organ responsible for these symptoms. An Otorhinolaryngologist (ENT) or a Neurologist will commonly see patients with vertigo or dizziness. In cases of inner ear problems, patients may have little or no hearing problems. One of the key factors in determining the etiology of inner ear balance problems is whether the symptoms are episodic and how long the episodes will last.

A sensation of spinning which is short-lived (less than a minute) and occurs when you turn your head may represent Benign Positional Vertigo. BPV is often easily treatable in the clinic. Other common causes of inner hear balance problems include Vestibular Neuritis, Ménière’s Disease, and Migraine-associated dizziness.


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Patients can schedule an appointment over the telephone (713-486-5000), by booking directly onto physician schedules online, and through MyUTHealth, our patient portal.