Vertigo
Vertigo which is related to balance and equilibrium, is the
severe form of dizziness. Vertigo is the feeling of being unsteady or woozy.
It is a sensation of spinning or whirling motion making it difficult to maintain
balance while standing or sitting. Vertigo and dizziness are not the same, even
though they are often used interchangeably. While all vertigo is dizziness,
not all dizziness is vertigo. It is most common in elderly people, but can affect
both sexes at any age.
Vertigo occurs when there is a mismatch or difference in the information sent
to the brain from the three sensory organs . Among the three sensory systems
i.e the vestibular system (the inner ear structures), the visual system (the
eyes), and the somatosensory system (which conveys information from the skin,
joint, and muscle receptors), the former is most sensitive and often involved
with vertigo.
Vertigo is not a disease but only a symptom of a broad range
of disorders, diseases, and conditions. It usually occurs when there's a problem
with the middle ear balance mechanisms, or with the brain, or with the nerve
connections between the brain and the middle ear.
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