Vertigo

Vertigo (; from the Latin vertō "a whirling or spinning movement") is a type of dizziness, where there is a feeling of motion when one is stationary. The symptoms are due to a dysfunction of the vestibular system in the inner ear. It is often associated with nausea and vomiting as well as difficulties standing or walking.

The most common causes are benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, concussion and vestibular migraine while less common causes include Ménière's disease and vestibular neuritis. Excessive consumption of ethanol (alcoholic beverages) can also cause notorious symptoms of vertigo. (For more information see Short term effects of alcohol). Repetitive spinning, as in familiar childhood games, can induce short-lived vertigo by disrupting the inertia of the fluid in the vestibular system.

Classification

Vertigo is classified into either peripheral or central depending on the location of the dysfunction of the vestibular pathway, although it can be established through mental thoughts.

Peripheral

Vertigo caused by problems with the inner ear or vestibular system is called "peripheral", "otologic" or "vestibular". The most common cause is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) but other causes include Ménière's disease, superior canal......
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