Vertigo in Cedar City, UT

Vertigo is described as a sensation in which you feel like you're spinning or in motion or the environment around you is spinning or in motion. It is often caused by an inner ear problem, like a calcium buildup, or the result of a viral infection, such as labyrinthitis. Meniere's disease, a disorder of fluid buildup and changing pressure in the ear, can also interfere with balance. Canyon View Ear, Nose & Throat provider Dr. Robert D. Pearson specializes in ear conditions and balance disorders. With help from his medical team, he will conduct a health assessment to distinguish between vertigo and dizziness and determine the root cause. Individuals with vertigo or dizziness may frequently experience the following symptoms:

• Disorientation
• Headaches
• Nausea or vomiting
• Fatigue
• Poor balance or frequent falls
• Confusion
• Lightheadedness

Schedule a consultation with our team in Cedar City, UT to learn more about vertigo and how we can treat it.

Vertigo is a sensation of dizziness that makes you feel like you or your surroundings are spinning. It's a symptom, not a condition itself, and can be caused by a variety of things. Each of the following common causes of vertigo affects the inner ear or brain in different ways:

Inner ear problems: These are the most common cause of vertigo. The inner ear contains your balance system, and when there's a problem with it, it can send mixed signals to your brain, causing vertigo. Some inner ear problems that can cause vertigo include benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), Meniere's disease, and labyrinthitis.

Migraines: Migraines can cause a variety of symptoms, including vertigo. Vertigo caused by migraines is often accompanied by other migraine symptoms, such as headache, nausea, and vomiting.

Medications: Certain medications, such as antibiotics, antidepressants, and diuretics, can cause vertigo as a side effect.

Head and neck injuries: Injuries to the head or neck can damage the inner ear or the nerves that carry balance information to the brain, causing vertigo.

Stroke: A stroke is a blockage or rupture of a blood vessel in the brain. Strokes can damage the parts of the brain that are responsible for balance, leading to vertigo.

Anxiety: Anxiety can sometimes cause dizziness that feels like vertigo.

Vertigo risk factors include advancing age, with older adults being more prone to conditions like benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and Ménière’s disease. Ear problems, such as a history of ear infections, surgeries, or inner ear disorders, also increase the likelihood of vertigo, as do head trauma and concussions, which can damage the vestibular system. People with migraines, particularly vestibular migraines, are at heightened risk, and a family history of vertigo-related conditions further raises susceptibility. Prolonged bed rest or inactivity, as well as chronic conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular issues, can impair blood flow to the inner ear, contributing to balance problems. Psychological factors such as stress and anxiety, along with dehydration or electrolyte imbalances, can trigger dizziness and vertigo episodes. Lastly, certain medications, including some antibiotics, diuretics, and blood pressure drugs, may disrupt the inner ear or balance-processing systems, heightening the risk of vertigo. Managing these factors through medical care, lifestyle adjustments, and balance exercises can help mitigate the occurrence of vertigo.