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Vascular
About the blood vessels anywhere in the body.
Vascular vertigo
Dizziness caused by problems with the blood supply to the labyrinth or the balance centres of the brain. It can occur in people who suffer from migraine or in those with “vascular risk factors” i.e. people who are overweight, smokers, people with high blood pressure and people who don’t take enough exercise.
Read more information about dizziness and balance problems
Ventilator
A machine designed to move air in and out of a person’s lungs to assist breathing mechanically (a life support machine).
Ventitlatory muscles
The muscles in the chest wall, back and neck that assist with breathing.
Vertebrae
Vertebrae are the individual bones which make up the spinal column. Each vertebra has a number of component parts which have their own names. These include the body, pedicles, laminae, spinous process, transverse process and facet joints.
Vertigo
This is an abnormal sensation of movement which makes you feel as if either you or the room is spinning. It can be a symptom of either a stroke or a transient ischaemic attack, although it is more commonly a symptom of a problem with the ear and balance mechanism.
- Read more information about dizziness and balance problems
- Read more information about stroke
- Read more information about transient ischaemic attacks
Vestibular compensation
The process that allows the brain to regain balance control when there is an imbalance between the right and left vestibular systems. It is based on reducing this imbalance and making up for the problems in this area by educating the brain to rely more on visual and joint/muscular impulses.
Read more information about dizziness and balance problems
Vestibular rehabilitation
(Sometimes called Cawthorne-Cooksey exercises) Physiotherapy programmes which re-educate the balance system. These involve exercises for the eyes, neck, trunk and the whole body in different
visual conditions (looking at objects far away or close up, or having the eyes closed).
Viral labyrinthitis
A viral inflammation of the labyrinth. It causes dizziness/vertigo lasting days or weeks, usually following a cold or ’flu. It is sometimes called
vestibular neuronitis.
Read more information about dizziness and balance problems
Voluntary movement
Movement of any part of the body that is willed by the person carrying it out.
