Most often vertigo is associated with kids and teens while they are suffering from an ear infection. As our balance is provided by the tympanic membrane in our inner ears, people who experience vertigo sometimes feel as if the room they are in is moving or spinning, or that they themselves are moving. There are two types of vertigo.

Peripheral vertigo happens when there is a problem with the part of the ear that controls balance; like an ear infection. Inflammation, compression or an injury may cause the inner ear difficulty and treating the condition will alleviate the experiences of vertigo.

Central vertigo happens when there is an abnormality of the brain, especially in the stem or the back portion of the brain. In this instance, a blood vessel being pinched, the existence of multiple sclerosis, migraine headaches or the administration of aspirin or anticonvulsants may cause vertigo.

There are many signs of vertigo in children and teenagers. If your child has a hard time swallowing or slurs their speech, you may want to have him (or her) tested for vertigo. Facial paralysis, double vision or a weakness in the arms or legs can also signal symptoms of vertigo.

There are simple tests that your health professional can administer to determine if vertigo is present. These include a scan of the head, a scan of the blood vessels of the brain, eye reflex tests, blood tests or other auditory evoked tests. While such medications as benzodiazepines or antihistamines can be taken to reduce the symptoms, the reason the vertigo is happening must be determined in order to treat it.

Because the false sense of movement is so prevalent in kids who experience vertigo, the importance of recognizing an episode and avoiding any dangerous activity can save a life. While correction of the underlying cause is the most suitable treatment, most children will experience a relief of vertigo once their ear infection is gone.

There are some cases of vertigo reported that begin with an oral concern. Abscesses, pain in or around the gums or broken teeth can radiate pain up the jaw line to the ear. Sometimes these cases of vertigo are as temporary as the person allows the pain to be. The extraction of a problematic tooth, the relief of pain associated with an abscessed tooth or gum pain will immediately relieve the person of vertigo symptoms.

While vertigo can be a “sought after” type of reaction to stimulants or depressants like drugs or alcohol, the achievement of this state is very unsafe. As one becomes out of touch with their own reality, it is possible that the absence of fear could cause the person to harm themselves or others.

Children and teens that experience the signs or symptoms of vertigo should be examined by a doctor as soon as possible. Helping your child to describe these feelings and accurately convey them to your health professional will help them in deciding the underlying cause and treatment plan for your child. Approximately one third of the population has experienced vertigo at some time in their life.