What is Peripheral Vertigo?

This is the most prevalent type of Vertigo. In most cases, the problem is caused by a problem in the inner ear. This structure makes up part of the vestibular system which is responsible for balance, and damage to it can bring on a feeling of dizziness. This form of Vertigo tends to pass quickly and the most common causes of peripheral vertigo are:

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)

In most cases, there is no known cause for BPPV. If a cause can be ascertained, it is usually due to a minor or severe blow to the head. This causes small crystals to become loose and start to float in the fluid of the inner ear and triggering the sensation of dizziness.

Meniere’s Disease

This is a condition that associates symptoms of dizziness with the occasional loss of hearing. There is no exact cause for Meniere’s disease. Triggers for the disease are associated with eating salt, drinking caffeine, smoking cigarettes, or drinking alcohol. This disease comes in stages. The early stages include feelings of vertigo accompanied by hearing loss. Conversely, the later stages endure less vertigo and hearing loss will gradually worsen.

Vestibular Neuritis

People who suffer Vestibular Neuritis will most likely experience a sudden and severe case of dizziness that lasts for 2 to 3 weeks. Most researchers think the most likely cause is a viral infection of the inner ear. This infection causes swelling of a branch of the vestibulocochlear nerve and it affects the balance of the person infected.

Otosclerosis

Otosclerosis is the abnormal growth of bone in the middle ear. This prevents the other structures connected to the middle ear from working properly together causing hearing loss, dizziness, and balance problems.

Labyrinthitis

This is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection that causes inflammation of the part of the inner ear called the labyrinth. This inflammation affects the organs of balance in usually one ear. There is a difference of information being sent to the brain from the infected ear and the healthy ear. This causes a feeling of dizziness.

Medications

There are several medications with side effects that can be associated with Peripheral Vertigo. These usually consist of drugs that affect blood and hormone levels including:

• • Anticonvulsants
  • Antidepressants
  • Blood Pressure Drugs
  • Muscle Relaxants
  • Nitroglycerin
  • Pain Relievers
  • Sleeping Pills

Perilymph Fistula (PLF)

This condition is caused by a physical tear or defect within a thin membrane between the middle ear and inner ear. This abnormal connection prevents the separation between the air-filled middle ear