The Impacts of Vertigo on Women’s Health

What is Vertigo?

Vertigo is a feeling or sensation of swaying or spinning of the environment around you when your body is not moving. It is being off-balance and can be mild or severe depending on the person’s condition. There are two types of vertigo, namely:

1. Peripheral Vertigo  

Peripheral vertigo is the most common type of vertigo. This type of vertigo is caused by problems in the inner area of the ear, otherwise called the vestibular labyrinth nerve. This nerve connects the inner ear and the brain to establish balance. ThisPeripheral vertigo might be caused due to several reasons:

• Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (bppv) 
• Certain medicines that are toxic to the inner ear, like cisplatin, diuretics, etc. 
• Neuronitis 
• Labyrinthitis
• Meniere

2. Central Vertigo

Central vertigo occurs due to a problem in the brain, generally in the brain stem or the back part of the brain (cerebellum). Central vertigo might be caused due to various reasons:

• Tumour
• Stroke
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Blood vessel disease
• Vestibular Migraine 

How it affects women differently?

It is found that women are two to three times more likely to fall prey to vertigo. This might be because of many reasons:

1. Benign paroxysmal positional Vertigo (BPPV) is most commonly seen in older people and especially in women. This type of vertigo is caused when a person rapidly changes the position of their head or neck. One of the reasons is seen to be low estrogen levels in women after menopause. Estrogen is essential to prevent the development of BPPV, and so it is seen less in women who receive estrogen therapy after menopause.

2. Studies have also found that vitamin D deficiency is widespread in women after menopause, and this also leads to the development of BPPV.

3. During pregnancy, there is a significant change of hormones in the body, especially estrogen. Low levels of estrogen can lead to changes in fluid properties in the inner ear, which causes symptoms like nausea, difficulty in balance and dizziness. This is the result of BPPV.

4. In women, the circulating level of stress hormones, i.e. cortisol and rise in anxiety, triggers vertigo. 

5. There is heavier fluid collection in the inner ear than in everyday fluid collection during the pre-menstrual phase. This fluid is susceptible to estrogen levels in women’s bodies and, therefore, responsible for the development of Meniere’s disease. 

6. Vestibular migraine is also frequently seen in women, especially around the time of menstruation. 

Vertigo Diagnostic Tests

Dix-Hallpike Maneuver: This method is commonly used to diagnose BPPV. The patient is made to lie on their back with the ear touching the ground and with their head turned at 45 degrees. In this method, the patient’s eyes are checked for dizziness. 

Head Impulse Test: It is commonly used to diagnose vestibular neuritis. It determines the coordination of the eyes and ears. The patient will be made to move their head from side to side while locking their eyes on a target. The doctor will check the eyes and determine the results of the diagnosis. 

Romberg’s Test: In this test, the patient will be made to stand with their hands by their side and close their eyes. A person with vertigo might sway or get unbalanced; this will determine if the person has vertigo

Fukuda-Unterberger Test: The patient will march in place for 30 seconds with closed eyes. If they rotate or lean to one side, there could be an issue with the inner ear labyrinth. 

Vestibular test: This checks the vestibular portion of your inner ear system. It helps to decide if your symptoms result from internal ear issues or brain issues. There are several types of Vestibular tests, such as Computerized Dynamic Visual Activity (DVA), Rotary chair test, Computerized Dynamic Posturography (CDP), Electronystagmography or Videonystagmography, Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potential (VEMP)and Subjective Visual. 

Blood work and allergy tests: Sometimes, the real culprit behind the dizziness and disorientation might not be vertigo. This can be confirmed with blood work like blood cell count, thyroid function, blood sugar levels, electrolytes, etc. 

Imaging tests:  MRI and CT scan may be taken as well. 

Treatment for Vertigo

Sometimes, vertigo might go away on its own because the brain might adjust and adapt at least partly to the changes in the inner ear and depend on other mechanisms for balance. The treatment of vertigo depends on the underlying issue causing it. 

Repositioning manoeuvres: This method is used for treating Benign paroxysmal positional Vertigo (BPPV), where specific head and body movements are performed to shift the tiny calcium carbonate crystals out of the semicircular canals back into the utricle. 

Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy: It is a type of physical therapy that helps the brain balance. This therapy strengthens the vestibular system, which sends signals to the brain related to head and body movements in correspondence with gravity. 

Medicine: When the symptoms of vertigo include nausea and vomiting, medication may be prescribed to soothe them down. In other cases, medications are also prescribed for vertigo caused by infections, where antibiotics or steroids are prescribed. 

Surgery: In a few cases where vertigo is caused because of serious underlying issues like head or neck injury or Tumour in the brain, surgery will be prescribed. 

Conclusion

As women are more likely to get vertigo, it is essential to maintain a proper routine with necessary physical activity and a good diet. It is also equally important to have a stress-free lifestyle. It is especially advised that Women during menstruation, pregnancy and menopause take adequate care of themselves. 

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