Vertigo and Epilepsy

Vertigo on its own can be an extremely unsettling condition to suffer from. Feeling as though the world is whirling around you, causing you to become disoriented upon a mere shift of your head is enough to leave anybody shaken. Vertigo victims often become concerned that they may be suffering from a severe neurological condition. Things become even more worrying when they find out that in fact, they are. Vertigo may be a symptom of an underlying health issue – in fact it can even be associated with certain types of epilepsy.

Epilepsy is a chronic central nervous system condition that impacts 3.4 million people in the U.S. Epilepsy causes above all, unexpected seizures, but also uncommon disorientation due to brain activity abnormalities. While typically vertigo is caused by problems in the inner ear affecting balance (fluid buildup and inflammation), epileptic vertigo is caused by abnormal electrical networking in either the temporal or parietal lobes of the brain.

The main symptom of Epileptic Vertigo is the spinning sensation experienced by vertigo victims in combination with unpredictable convulsions experienced by individuals diagnosed with epilepsy. The “spins” alone are not enough to diagnose a patient with epileptic vertigo, as it can suggest other diseases outside of epilepsy- for example, Meniere’s Disease. To accurately diagnose epileptic vertigo, a patient will usually be recommended to undergo an MRI scan, and an EEG test. If diagnosed, treatment options are similar to those for other forms of focal epilepsy – including medications, lifestyle modifications and, in some cases, surgery.

Neurological conditions like epileptic vertigo can affect anyone, but without a proper diagnosis- it is impossible to obtain effective treatment. This is where our professional team of clinicians at the Neurology Center for Epilepsy and Seizures come in. We make it our mission to provide an accurate diagnosis, and effective individualized detailed diagnosis and effective treatment plan, tailored to the individual patient. Our dedicated team at the Neurology Center for Epilepsy & Seizures are committed to providing patients with the care and knowledge they need to overcome the obstacles presented by their neurological conditions.
At NCES we will equip you with all the resources to understand your condition and best manage your health.

If you are suffering from vertigo, especially that which occurs without a change in your position, schedule an appointment through our online form, or call us today!