Chronic subjective dizziness

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Chronic subjective dizziness
Other namesPersistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD)

The term chronic subjective dizziness (CSD) is used to describe a commonly encountered type of dizziness that is not easily categorized into one of several other types, and for which the physical examination is typically normal. Patients with CSD frequently initially suffer a sudden injury of some sort to their vestibular system, the neurologic network that preserves sense of balance. Even after this initial injury has healed, people with CSD usually describe a vague sense of unsteadiness worsened by triggers in their environment such as high places, standing on moving objects, or standing in motion-rich environments like busy streets or crowds. There is a clear indication that anxiety and other mental illnesses play a role in the dizziness symptoms that occur with CSD. [1] However, the condition is categorized as chronic functional vestibular disorder, not as a structural or psychiatric condition. [2]

Contents

Proposals include renaming it persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD) which better captures the multiple aspects of the condition under its title. [3] It is under that title the World Health Organization has included PPPD in its draft list of diagnoses to be included to the next edition of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) in 2017. [4]

Signs and symptoms

Symptoms can include:[ citation needed ]

Symptoms of CSD can be worsened by any self-precipitated motion, usually from the head, or the witnessing of motion from another subject. These are usually less noticeable when the person is lying still. [1]

Diagnosis

Diagnosis can be difficult as there is not a specific test for PPPD but rather a series of elimination tests for other vestibular causes. If elimination test are all normal and the symptoms match a PPPD diagnosis is possible.[ citation needed ]

Treatment

Effective treatments include vestibular rehabilitation therapy, medications such as SSRIs and psychotherapy, including the most effectively represented cognitive behavioral therapy.

Promising results were also found with transcranial direct-current stimulation combined with vestibular rehabilitation with significant improvement in symptoms of patients over a sham group in an exploratory study. [5]

More recently, a study showed non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation to offer significant effect in PPPD patients regarding the quality of life, postural balance control, attack severity and depression level, with no reported serious side effects. The findings are argued to imply nVNS to be a safe and promising treatment option in patients with treatment-refractory PPPD and suggesting the need for further research. [6]

History

Perhaps the first account of CSD was the German neurologist Karl Westphal's portrayal in the late 1800s of people who suffered dizziness, anxiety and spatial disorientation when shopping in town squares. This phenomenon was called "agoraphobia", meaning a fear of the marketplace. The term is now used to describe a psychological fear, but Westphal's original description included many symptoms of dizziness and imbalance not included in the modern psychiatric definition. Unlike people who feel anxious in crowds because they feel something bad will happen, people with CSD may dislike crowds because all the movement leads to a sensation of dizziness. [1]

Related Research Articles

Ataxia is a neurological sign consisting of lack of voluntary coordination of muscle movements that can include gait abnormality, speech changes, and abnormalities in eye movements. Ataxia is a clinical manifestation indicating dysfunction of the parts of the nervous system that coordinate movement, such as the cerebellum. Ataxia can be limited to one side of the body, which is referred to as hemiataxia. Several possible causes exist for these patterns of neurological dysfunction. Dystaxia is a mild degree of ataxia. Friedreich's ataxia has gait abnormality as the most commonly presented symptom. The word is from Greek α- [a negative prefix] + -τάξις [order] = "lack of order".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tremor</span> Involuntary muscle contraction

A tremor is an involuntary, somewhat rhythmic, muscle contraction and relaxation involving oscillations or twitching movements of one or more body parts. It is the most common of all involuntary movements and can affect the hands, arms, eyes, face, head, vocal folds, trunk, and legs. Most tremors occur in the hands. In some people, a tremor is a symptom of another neurological disorder. A very common tremor is the teeth chattering, usually induced by cold temperatures or by fear.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Transcranial magnetic stimulation</span> Form of brain stimulation using magnetic fields

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a noninvasive form of brain stimulation in which a changing magnetic field is used to cause electric current at a specific area of the brain through electromagnetic induction. An electric pulse generator, or stimulator, is connected to a magnetic coil, which in turn is connected to the scalp. The stimulator generates a changing electric current within the coil which induces a magnetic field; this field then causes a second inductance of inverted electric charge within the brain itself.

A balance disorder is a disturbance that causes an individual to feel unsteady, for example when standing or walking. It may be accompanied by feelings of giddiness, or wooziness, or having a sensation of movement, spinning, or floating. Balance is the result of several body systems working together: the visual system (eyes), vestibular system (ears) and proprioception. Degeneration or loss of function in any of these systems can lead to balance deficits.

Mal de debarquement syndrome is a neurological condition usually occurring after a cruise, aircraft flight, or other sustained motion event. The phrase "mal de débarquement" is French and translates to "illness of disembarkment". MdDS is typically diagnosed by a neurologist or an ear nose and throat specialist when a person reports a persistent rocking, swaying, or bobbing feeling. This usually follows a cruise or other motion experience. Because most vestibular testing proves to be negative, doctors may be baffled as they attempt to diagnose the syndrome. A major diagnostic indicator is that most patients feel better while driving or riding in a car, i.e, while in passive motion. MdDS is unexplained by structural brain or inner ear pathology and most often corresponds with a motion trigger, although it can occur spontaneously. This differs from the very common condition of "land sickness" that most people feel for a short time after a motion event such as a boat cruise, aircraft ride, or even a treadmill routine which may only last minutes to a few hours. The syndrome has recently received increased attention due to the number of people presenting with the condition, and more scientific research has commenced in determining what triggers MdDS and how to cure it.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vestibular system</span> Sensory system that facilitates body balance

The vestibular system, in vertebrates, is a sensory system that creates the sense of balance and spatial orientation for the purpose of coordinating movement with balance. Together with the cochlea, a part of the auditory system, it constitutes the labyrinth of the inner ear in most mammals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lateral medullary syndrome</span> Medical condition

Lateral medullary syndrome is a neurological disorder causing a range of symptoms due to ischemia in the lateral part of the medulla oblongata in the brainstem. The ischemia is a result of a blockage most commonly in the vertebral artery or the posterior inferior cerebellar artery. Lateral medullary syndrome is also called Wallenberg's syndrome, posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) syndrome and vertebral artery syndrome.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dizziness</span> Neurological condition causing impairment in spatial perception and stability

Dizziness is an imprecise term that can refer to a sense of disorientation in space, vertigo, or lightheadedness. It can also refer to disequilibrium or a non-specific feeling, such as giddiness or foolishness.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Visual snow</span> Visual impairment

Visual snow, also known as visual static, is an uncommon neurological condition in which the affected individuals see white, black, transparent, or coloured dots across the whole visual fields. The condition is typically always present and has no known cure. Migraine and tinnitus are common comorbidities and are both associated with a more severe presentation of the syndrome.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Labyrinthitis</span> Medical condition

Labyrinthitis is inflammation of the labyrinth – a maze of fluid-filled channels in the inner ear. Vestibular neuritis is inflammation of the vestibular nerve – the nerve in the inner ear that sends messages related to motion and position to the brain. Both conditions involve inflammation of the inner ear. Labyrinths that house the vestibular system sense changes in the head's position or the head's motion. Inflammation of these inner ear parts results in a sensation of the world spinning and also possible hearing loss or ringing in the ears. It can occur as a single attack, a series of attacks, or a persistent condition that diminishes over three to six weeks. It may be associated with nausea, vomiting, and eye nystagmus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo</span> Medical condition

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a disorder arising from a problem in the inner ear. Symptoms are repeated, brief periods of vertigo with movement, characterized by a spinning sensation upon changes in the position of the head. This can occur with turning in bed or changing position. Each episode of vertigo typically lasts less than one minute. Nausea is commonly associated. BPPV is one of the most common causes of vertigo.

Depersonalization-derealization disorder is a mental disorder in which the person has persistent or recurrent feelings of depersonalization or derealization. Depersonalization is described as feeling disconnected or detached from one's self. Individuals may report feeling as if they are an outside observer of their own thoughts or body, and often report feeling a loss of control over their thoughts or actions. Derealization is described as detachment from one's surroundings. Individuals experiencing derealization may report perceiving the world around them as foggy, dreamlike/surreal, or visually distorted.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vagus nerve stimulation</span> Medical treatment that involves delivering electrical impulses to the vagus nerve.

Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a medical treatment that involves delivering electrical impulses to the vagus nerve. It is used as an add-on treatment for certain types of intractable epilepsy and treatment-resistant depression.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vertigo</span> Type of dizziness where a person has the sensation of moving or surrounding objects moving

Vertigo is a condition where a person has the sensation of movement or of surrounding objects moving when they are not. Often it feels like a spinning or swaying movement. This may be associated with nausea, vomiting, sweating, or difficulties walking. It is typically worse when the head is moved. Vertigo is the most common type of dizziness.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vestibular nerve</span>

The vestibular nerve is one of the two branches of the vestibulocochlear nerve. In humans the vestibular nerve transmits sensory information transmitted by vestibular hair cells located in the two otolith organs and the three semicircular canals via the vestibular ganglion of Scarpa. Information from the otolith organs reflects gravity and linear accelerations of the head. Information from the semicircular canals reflects rotational movement of the head. Both are necessary for the sensation of body position and gaze stability in relation to a moving environment.

Cerebellar ataxia is a form of ataxia originating in the cerebellum. Non-progressive congenital ataxia (NPCA) is a classical presentation of cerebral ataxias.

Post-concussion syndrome (PCS) is a set of symptoms that may continue for weeks, months, or a year or more after a concussion – a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). About 15–30% of people with concussion develop persistent or prolonged symptoms associated with the injury. Prolonged concussion is defined as having concussion symptoms for over four weeks following the first accident in youth and for weeks or months in adults.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Transcranial direct-current stimulation</span> Technique of brain electric stimulation therapy

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a form of neuromodulation that uses constant, low direct current delivered via electrodes on the head. It was originally developed to help patients with brain injuries or neuropsychiatric conditions such as major depressive disorder. It can be contrasted with cranial electrotherapy stimulation, which generally uses alternating current the same way, as well as transcranial magnetic stimulation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Illusions of self-motion</span> Misperception of ones location or movement

Illusions of self-motion occur when one perceives bodily motion despite no movement taking place. One can experience illusory movements of the whole body or of individual body parts, such as arms or legs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vestibular rehabilitation</span> Form of physical therapy for vestibular disorders

Vestibular rehabilitation (VR), also known as vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT), is a specialized form of physical therapy used to treat vestibular disorders or symptoms, characterized by dizziness, vertigo, and trouble with balance, posture, and vision. These primary symptoms can result in secondary symptoms such as nausea, fatigue, and lack of concentration. All symptoms of vestibular dysfunction can significantly decrease quality of life, introducing mental-emotional issues such as anxiety and depression, and greatly impair an individual, causing them to become more sedentary. Decreased mobility results in weaker muscles, less flexible joints, and worsened stamina, as well as decreased social and occupational activity. Vestibular rehabilitation therapy can be used in conjunction with cognitive behavioral therapy in order to reduce anxiety and depression resulting from an individual's change in lifestyle.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Pressman, Peter. "Chronic Subjective Dizziness". About.com Neurology. About.com. Retrieved 14 June 2014.
  2. Staab, JP; Eckhardt-Henn, A; Horii, A; Jacob, R; Strupp, M; Brandt, T; Bronstein, A (2017). "Diagnostic criteria for persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD): Consensus document of the committee for the Classification of Vestibular Disorders of the Bárány Society". J Vestib Res. 27 (4): 191–208. doi: 10.3233/VES-170622 . PMC   9249299 . PMID   29036855.
  3. Vestibular Disorder Association, Based on an article written by Dr. Jeffrey P. Staab. "Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness" (PDF). Vestibular.com. Vestibular.com. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
  4. WHO ICD-11 Beta Draft. "ICD-11 Beta Draft". Who.int Draft list. Who.int. Archived from the original on October 3, 2011. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
  5. Koganemaru, S; Goto, F; Arai, M; Toshikuni, K; Hosoya, M; Wakabayashi, T; Yamamoto, N; Minami, S; Ikeda, S; Ikoma, K; Mima, T (2017). "Effects of vestibular rehabilitation combined with transcranial cerebellar direct current stimulation in patients with chronic dizziness: An exploratory study". Brain Stimul. 10 (3): 576–578. doi:10.1016/j.brs.2017.02.005. hdl: 2115/70037 . PMID   28274722. S2CID   206356638.
  6. Eren, O; Filippopulos, F; Sönmez, K; Möhwald, K; Straube, A; Schöberl, F (2018). "Non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation significantly improves quality of life in patients with persistent postural-perceptual dizziness". Journal of Neurology. 265 (Suppl 1): 63–69. doi:10.1007/s00415-018-8894-8. PMID   29785522. S2CID   29167439.