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Central vertigo is a type of dizziness caused by a problem in the brainstem or cerebellum. It can be a symptom of serious conditions, but can also occur as an isolated incident. Medications can treat symptoms, but chronic vertigo requires diagnosis and treatment of the underlying condition.
Central vertigo is one of two types of vertigo that can occur in humans. Unlike peripheral vertigo, which is usually caused by a problem in the inner ear, central vertigo can be a symptom of a serious condition in the brainstem or cerebellum. While this type of dizziness can be serious, it can also occur as an isolated incident. Vertigo is a relatively common condition and a large percentage of people experience it at one time or another.
People with central vertigo experience a sensation of dizziness or movement when in a stable, immobile environment. The resulting disorientation can lead to nausea, weakness, and difficulty seeing or hearing. For many patients, vertigo symptoms come and go, lasting anywhere from a few minutes to several days. The condition can come on gradually or it can be acute, coming on without warning.
The primary causes of central vertigo are diseases or conditions affecting the cerebellum or brainstem. Migraine sufferers commonly report dizziness as a side effect of migraine. Multiple sclerosis can also lead to dizziness because the disease affects the central nervous system. Problems with blood flow to the brain, such as stroke or disease of the vertebrobasilar system, which supplies blood to certain regions of the brain, including the cerebellum and brainstem, can also cause dizziness. Patients with certain congenital deformities can also suffer from this condition, although in this case it is possible to treat only the symptoms, as the malformation cannot be corrected.
A number of medications are available for people suffering from central vertigo. For the most part, medications treat vertigo symptoms, such as lightheadedness or nausea, without addressing the underlying cause. Rest and lying down until symptoms improve are recommended for most patients, in order to reduce the severity of symptoms. Patients are also advised to avoid vertigo triggers, such as nicotine.
While treating vertigo symptoms may help a patient in the short term, chronic vertigo care requires that the underlying condition be diagnosed and treated. Central vertigo can sometimes be treated with the use of neurotransmitter reuptake inhibitors or gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) modulators. Central vertigo caused by a stroke can be treated with the use of medications that thin the blood or dissolve blood clots.
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