Skip to main content

Vertigo

Gulf Coast Cardiology Group PLLC

Cardiovascular Disease Specialists & Internal Medicine located in Port Arthur, TX

If you often feel dizzy or like the room is spinning, you may have vertigo. To prevent balance issues or dangerous falls, visit the expert team at Gulf Coast Cardiology Group PLLC in Port Arthur, Texas. They can help accurately diagnose vertigo and help manage any potential underlying conditions in addition to effectively treating your dizziness. To learn more, call the office or request a consultation online today.

Vertigo Q & A

What is vertigo?

Vertigo is a condition that produces dizzy spells ranging in intensity when you move your head in a certain position. The cause of vertigo is often known but may be related to head trauma, spinal problems, or inner ear issues.

Vertigo can also be caused by a dramatic drop in your blood pressure or poor blood circulation. Heart arrhythmias and heart disease can contribute to the dizziness of vertigo.

If the cause relates to your inner ear, you may feel dizzy or disoriented when you move your head up and down or right and left. These symptoms result due to tiny crystals in the otolith organs of your ear, which monitor your movements. These crystals can move into the ear canal, causing you to become highly sensitive to any movement.

What are the complications of vertigo?

Because of the persistent feelings of dizziness, you may also experience nausea and vomiting. Vertigo can also make you feel unsteady on your feet, putting you at increased risk for falls.

Until you can receive physical therapy for vertigo, you should stay alert to any feelings of dizziness and sit down as soon as possible. Falls relating to vertigo can cause other painful injuries, including muscle sprains and bone fractures.

If your dizziness accompanies a severe or sudden headache, or you experience vision problems, such as doubled or blurry vision, you should seek emergency medical help.

How is vertigo treated?

The dizziness of vertigo can go away within a few weeks without treatment as your body adapts. But if your symptoms interfere with your quality of life or begin to get worse, the team at Gulf Coast Cardiology Group PLLC can create a treatment plan to meet your needs.

The cardiology team can do diagnostic tests to evaluate your circulation. This can involve blood tests, electrocardiogram (EKG/ECG), treadmill stress test, or nuclear cardiology procedures.

Based on the results of your test, your treatment for vertigo can include:

  • Exercise
  • Blood thinners
  • Dietary changes
  • Compression stockings or socks


You might also need an angioplasty to widen your blood vessels. Your surgeon uses a catheter with a tiny balloon to expand the vessel. They can also insert stents to keep the vessel open.

If your vertigo is part of an inner ear problem, you might need antianxiety, anti-dizziness, and anti-nausea medications. You could also benefit from physical therapy to improve your balance.

To learn more about your treatment options for vertigo, schedule a consultation with Gulf Coast Cardiology Group by calling the office or requesting your visit online today.