Does your child complain dizziness or a discomforting sensation of spinning on certain head movements? Does your kid complain ringing in the ears? Do you observe your child is finding it difficult to walk straight easily? If you nodded along with concern, your dear growing one might be suffering from vertigo. Learning your child has vertigo can be a heart-wrenching for you as parents. But, it’s important to consider your kid’s complaints without ignoring them and figure out whether your child is suffering from vertigo or not. And, if you are wondering what vertigo is and how you can understand that your kid has vertigo, think no further. Get answers to all your questions by reading this post below.
What Is Vertigo?
Vertigo is the medical word for the feeling of spinning. A child suffering from vertigo experiences the feeling of spinning of head and surroundings, even though he and his surroundings are stationery. In fact, vertigo is a miscommunication between the brain and inner ear. The inner ear plays a crucial role in helping your body maintain good balance. For this purpose, normally, the inner ear senses position and motion of the head and body. And, the body depends for the balance signals on the inner ear. The brain receives the signals from the inner ear, eyes, and various other parts of the body to help the body maintain good balance. When there occurs a miscommunication between the brain and the inner ear, the child may suffer from vertigo which may affect his balance making him feel dizzy and experience the feel of head-spinning.
Vertigo is the sensation of dizziness that can last for seconds or even a minute. Young children may find it difficult in describing their symptoms, but they may appear off-balance. Complaints of dizziness and nausea for short periods of time can be confusing and you, as parents, may never think of children having issues of vertigo. Here are some common signs and symptoms which may indicate that your child is suffering from vertigo.
Signs Of Vertigo In Children:
You may observe your kid doing these movements which may be an indication of vertigo.
- Jerky eye movements
- Trouble walking straight
- Tilting of the head
- Swaying
- Falling
Symptoms Of Vertigo In Children:
Your child may also complain of discomfort. Here are some of the symptoms of vertigo in children.
- Nausea
- Ringing in the ears
- A headache
- Sensitive to the light & noise
- Motion sickness
- Ear pain
Causes Of Vertigo In Children:
Some of the most common causes of the occurrence of vertigo in kids are listed below.
- Head trauma
- Inner ear abnormality
- Ear disorder
- Brain tumor
Diagnosis Of Vertigo In Children:
There is no specific test to diagnose vertigo in children. The tests advised by the physician/ENT will be based on your child’s symptoms.
Also Read: –Ear infections in children (Otitis Media)
What Sort Of Treatment Is Advised For Vertigo In Children?
Treatment of vertigo in children depends upon the underlying cause, duration, and frequency of the episodes.
Most often, vertigo in children is due to ear infections or a migraine. Don’t overlook the complaints of your child, look for trauma. Do simple screenings of your child like BP checks. To prevent the symptoms from getting worse, your child should avoid sudden movement and position changes. Temporary vertigo occurring due to an infection can be treated and resolved with medications. Medicines and therapies can control and treat vertigo in children effectively. The key is to consult an experienced and expert doctor to early diagnosis and effective treatment plan.
So, if any time your dear little child complains from any of the above symptoms, do not ignore it. Consult a good doctor, diagnose the condition, and treat it effective to help your child enjoy a happy and healthy life.
Written by Dr. Krutika, Associate doctor to Dr. Rajesh Shah
