LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Dizziness: Vertigo
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Dizziness is classified into three categories—vertigo, syncope, and nonsyncope nonvertigo. Each category has a characteristic set of symptoms, all related to the sense of balance. In general, syncope is defined by a brief loss of consciousness (fainting) or by dimmed vision and feeling uncoordinated, confused, and lightheaded. Many people experience a sensation like syncope when they stand up too fast. Vertigo is the feeling that either the individual or the surroundings are spinning. This sensation is like being on a spinning amusement park ride.
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Dizziness and vertigo are among the most common symptoms causing patients to visit a physician (as common as back pain and headaches). The overall incidence of dizziness, vertigo, and imbalance is 5-10%, and it reaches 40% in patients older than 40 years. The incidence of falling is 25% in subjects older than 65 years. Falling can be a direct consequence of dizziness in this population, and the risk is compounded in those with other neurologic deficits.
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Dizziness and vertigo often occur because MS has caused the brainstem to become inflamed or demyelinated, which means the nerve fibers have been robbed of their protective coating. The brainstem plays a key role in balance, coordinating the eyes, limbs and trunk of the body. Inflammation of the inner ear may ... be involved in dizziness or vertigo. MS can damage the nerve pathways that originate in the inner ear, which also has an important role in maintaining equilibrium.
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Dizziness may be temporary or chronic. Dizziness is considered chronic if it lasts more than a month. Chronic dizziness is more common among older people. Chronic dizziness is often difficult to classify because it often involves more than one cause and because it seems different at different times—for example, like light-headedness one time and like vertigo the next.
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Dizziness is classified in three categories--vertigo, syncope, and nonsyncopenonvertigo--each with symptoms related to the sense of balance. In general,syncope is defined by a brief loss of consciousness (fainting) or by dimmed vision and feeling uncoordinated, confused, and lightheaded. Many people experience a sensation like syncope when they stand up too fast. Vertigo isthe feeling that either the individual or the surroundings are spinning. Individuals with nonsyncope nonvertigo dizziness feel as though they cannot keeptheir balance.
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Dizziness should be distinguished from the term vertigo. Vertigo is a specific form of dizziness in which a false sensation of movement is present. In dizziness, unlike vertigo, there is no universally accepted definition of the quality of the sensation. Instead, the term may indicate a feeling of weakness, a near loss of consciousness, or general anxiety.
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