Vertigo risk factors

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Zehra Malik, M.B.B.S [2]

Overview

Common risk factors in the development of vertigo include: Immunosuppression can provoke Herpes zoster oticus, upper respiratory viral illness can lead to acute vestibular neuritis, drug-induced vertigo: Dose reduction or discontinuation of the medication in patients presenting with vertigo may decrease the future incidence, head injury can trigger epileptic vertigo, changes in head position can provoke vertigo in acute labyrinthitis, benign positional paroxysmal vertigo, cerebellopontine angle tumor, multiple sclerosis, perilymphatic fistula, perilymphatic fistula can be triggered by loud noises, changes in ear pressure, excessive straining, head trauma.

Risk Factors

Common Risk Factors

Common risk factors in the development of vertigo include:^[1]^[2]^[3]
- Immunosuppression can provoke Herpes zoster oticus.
- Upper respiratory viral illness can lead to acute vestibular neuritis.
- Drug-induced vertigo: Dose reduction or discontinuation of the medication in patients presenting with vertigo may decrease the future incidence.
- Head injury can trigger epileptic vertigo.
- Changes in head position can provoke vertigo in acute labyrinthitis, benign positional paroxysmal vertigo, cerebellopontine angle tumor, multiple sclerosis, perilymphatic fistula.
- Perilymphatic fistula can be triggered by loud noises, changes in ear pressure, excessive straining, head trauma.

Less Common Risk Factors

Less common risk factors in the development of vertigo include:
- Recognized triggers including altered sleep patterns, chocolate, red wine, ripened/aged cheese, can provoke vestibular migraine.
- Increased stress can cause psychological vertigo.

References

↑ Hanley K, O’Dowd T, Considine N (2001). “A systematic review of vertigo in primary care”. Br J Gen Pract. 51 (469): 666–71. PMC 1314080. PMID 11510399.
↑ Derebery MJ (1999). “The diagnosis and treatment of dizziness”. Med Clin North Am. 83 (1): 163–77, x. doi:10.1016/s0025-7125(05)70095-x. PMID 9927968.
↑ Rosenberg ML, Gizzi M (2000). “Neuro-otologic history”. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 33 (3): 471–82. doi:10.1016/s0030-6665(05)70221-8. PMID 10815031.

[pmid11510399-1] Hanley K, O’Dowd T, Considine N (2001). “A systematic review of vertigo in primary care”. Br J Gen Pract. 51 (469): 666–71. PMC 1314080. PMID 11510399.

[pmid9927968-2] Derebery MJ (1999). “The diagnosis and treatment of dizziness”. Med Clin North Am. 83 (1): 163–77, x. doi:10.1016/s0025-7125(05)70095-x. PMID 9927968.

[pmid10815031-3] Rosenberg ML, Gizzi M (2000). “Neuro-otologic history”. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 33 (3): 471–82. doi:10.1016/s0030-6665(05)70221-8. PMID 10815031.

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