Dizziness affects 20% of multiple sclerosis patients and can have various causes, including nerve damage and debris in the ear. Benign paroxysmal vertigo of positioning (BPPV) is a common cause and can be treated with medication. Dizziness is not always a symptom of multiple sclerosis and can be caused by other conditions. MRI tests are used to diagnose multiple sclerosis.
Dizziness occurs in about 20% of patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Dizziness can be caused by a nerve lesion in the lower part of the brain, damage to the nerves connected to the ears, or other causes unrelated to multiple sclerosis. When multiple sclerosis and dizziness occur, further medical tests are often required to pinpoint the cause.
Multiple sclerosis is a disease that impairs communication between nerve cells in the spinal cord and brain. Some of the symptoms caused by multiple sclerosis are tingling or numbness, muscle spasms, muscle weakness, and problems with swallowing, vision, coordination, balance, and speech. Multiple sclerosis has no known cause and no known cure.
Dizziness by definition can include feeling lightheaded, feeling off-balance, or feeling like the room is spinning or tilting. These symptoms can be mild or severe and usually last a few minutes or less. In about 60 percent of patients, the connection between multiple sclerosis and vertigo is caused by debris that collects in the ear and consists of small particles that are found in everyone’s inner ear. These particles are attached to tiny hairs in the inner ear that help detect movement. If these particles fall or move, they can send a false motion signal to the brain.
The formal name for this condition is benign paroxysmal vertigo of positioning (BPPV), and it can cause a feeling of dizziness or spinning when moving the head. The sensation can be severe enough to cause nausea and vomiting. Multiple sclerosis and dizziness can cause further concern for people who are already concerned about an illness that may limit their ability to move freely.
On the positive side, BPPV is a benign cause of multiple sclerosis and dizziness. This means that it is not a direct result of multiple sclerosis. When BPPV occurs, medications will often be used to correct the symptoms.
Sometimes, medications used to treat multiple sclerosis symptoms can cause dizziness. These medications can include antidepressants and pain relievers. Medications that reduce involuntary movements are also known to cause dizziness.
Multiple sclerosis and dizziness don’t always go together. Dizziness should not be interpreted as a possible symptom of multiple sclerosis. Other more common diseases can also cause dizziness. Multiple sclerosis is most often diagnosed and detected through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test results.
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