What is vertigo?

Question

My friend is in the first stages of MS, How can i support her, and what is this disease

Answer 1

Vertigo is spinning dizziness. It can last for seconds or hours, depending on the cause. It is a symptom - not a diagnosis.

MS is a central nervous system disorder, and as such it can effect all or some of the systems that influence our sense of motion and equilibrium. These include visual input, labyrinth (inner ear) input, and somatosensory (musculo-skeletal) input. Unfortunately, this makes it an extra challenge to determine which system(s) is responsible for her symptoms and to treat them. There are several tests that can help isolate the site(s) of the problem, and medication and/or therapeutic interventions (visual or physical therapy) can be recommended.

The vestibular Disorders Association might be a good resource for you and your friend in helping her cope with her dizziness.
http://www.vestibular.org/

Multiple sclerosis is a progressive disease, and medical advancements have helped many people slow the progression, Still, it is different for each person, and the biggest issue are the emotions of fear and frustration that accompany the loss of the ability to control your own body. Emotional support is crucial. There are MANY groups and associations for those with MS and the people that care for them:
http://www.nmss.org/
http://www.msfacts.org/
http://www.multiplesclerosis.com/
http://www.understandingms.com/
http://www.montelms.org/AboutMS

You are a good friend to care enough to learn more about ways in which you can help her. I wish you both all the best.

Answer 2

Vertigo is basically severe dizziness. I've had bouts of it caused from medication as well as ear infections, but I have a friend who has chronic vertigo. She can't tip her head back or move it too fast or else her world will start spinning. I think the best way to support your friend would be to learn all you can about MS, and then ask her what you can do for her. With vertigo you might need to help her walk around or assist her in doing things (such as picking things off the floor). Be aware that your friend is probably going to be experiencing rather strong emotions and could be angered or easily upset over either the dizziness or having to rely on someone to help her. Just be kind and patient and talk to her. Let her know that she's still in control. Good luck and I hoped this helped!

Answer 3

Vertigo is a type of dizziness that's characterized by the sensation of spinning. It's sometimes referred to as a hallucination of motion. Imagine what it would feel like to be placed suddenly on a roller coaster that won't stop, and you begin to understand the alarming symptom of vertigo.
It's disasterous for a pilot to get vertigo. But I've never heard of
people with MS getting vertigo.
As far as support, as with any serious illness, just being there
means as much as anything. Don't be over-helpfull, condesending, or talk about it too much unless they need to talk.
Just be available for whatever they need.

Answer 4

Vertigo is a type of dizziness that's characterized by the sensation of spinning. It's sometimes referred to as a hallucination of motion. Imagine what it would feel like to be placed suddenly on a roller coaster that won't stop, and you begin to understand the alarming symptom of vertigo.

A fairly common cause of vertigo is labyrinthitis (inner ear infection). This type of vertigo may occur after a flu-like illness, severe ear infection, or may have no clear cause. It's usually self-limited, meaning it goes away all by itself. But it may intermittently reappear over weeks to months. Bouts of vertigo are commonly treated with meclizine (Antivert).

Vertigo can also result from other vestibular (balance center) disorders. Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) is thought to be caused by tiny loose particles floating freely in the fluid (endolymph) of the vestibular system. Meniere's disease is a chronic condition that causes vertigo associated with ringing or roaring and progressive hearing loss in the affected ear(s). Other causes of vertigo include vestibular neuronitis (inflammation of the vestibular nerves), and post traumatic vertigo, which may occur after an injury to the head involving the inner ear structures. Sometimes vertigo may be a symptom of a more serious underlying illness such as a stroke or tumor.

So, anyone with the symptom of vertigo should be seen immediately by a doctor in order to determine the cause. If you can't get in by appointment, then obtain a ride to your local emergency room. They're well equipped to do the required initial evaluation, and provide relief from the unpleasant symptoms, regardless of one's ability to pay. Don't drive or operate machinery until cleared by your physician..
Give her emotional support as it is the best you can do! dont let her worry since this is curable! Just talk to the doctor about this..

Answer 5

Vertigo is being dizzy. The feeling of nausea may accompany the dizziness.
I have a friend who has lived with MS for approx 25 years. She has suffered for so long. In her advanced stages of MS she has muscle atrophy to the point where she can no longer speak audibly. She is paralyzed from the neck down, fed by a tube in her stomach. She can blink her eyes.
As awful as this sounds I want to share something else with you...To my knowledge she has never once complained or questioned "why me". She was about 25 when she was diagnosed. First it was Vertigo, so she did many balance exercises to keep herself in tiptop shape, then came the cane which led to the first wheelchair she could operate with her hands and arms, then came the electric wheelchair, eventually she was bedridden.
The medication of this day and age may be able to save your friend altogether.
Help her to continue to do for herself and use every muscle in her body regularly, encourage her in every way and be their for her when she needs a ride to the Dr. and such.
She's lucky to have a great friend like you, who cares.
There are many websites you can go to for information on Vertigo, most of them charge a fee and mail the information to you. Been there-Done that.
Exercise is so very important.

Answer 6

Verigo goes along with MS, and MS is a nueromuscular disease. What happens is that the mechanism in middle ear that controls the balance doesn't. It weakens the central nervous system as the disease advances. You become dizzy and off balance when you stand or get up too quickly. Best advice goto WebMD on the web and look it up and research all you can. Your friend is going to need a lot of help, love, and support now. Most of all ask the Lord himself for His mercy and help with this, and I'll pray for you both too. You can also visit the library, talk to Dr's but get information.

Answer 7

It's when you get kind of dizzy and you feel like your head is swirling. I could be caused by not eating enough, or other more serious things - but sometimes it's just a weird thing that happens.

MS is hard. She will loose all muscle control slowly, and strange things will start to happen to her. It is caused by the myelin that surrounds the axons in the brain being depleted, so the nerves in the brain and spinal cord can't carry their signals. There are a millon effects of this disease, and it will take a while before she gets sick enough to become immoblie. Just support her emotionally right now.

Answer 8

Vertigo is the dizzy feeling, I have not had anyone close to me with MS. I am sorry for your friend.

Answer 9

Vertigo is the sensation of your head spinning or of your surroundings spinning around you. It's usually caused by a problem in the inner ear, affecting your equilibrium.

Answer 10

Vertigo isn't MS. Go to the Multiple Sclerosis web site for info to help her.