Publication:

Vertigo in association with gastro-esophageal reflux disease

Background Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) is a condition which develops when the reflux of stomach contents cause troublesome symptoms. Symptoms of GERD are either esophageal: heartburn and regurgitation, or extra-esophageal: chronic cough, recurrent sinusitis, and globus sensation in the throat. One of the extra-esophageal manifestations of GERD is otitis media with effusion, very common among children. The aim of our study was to find the prevalence of GERD and Helicobacter Pylori (H. Pylori) among patients with peripheral vertigo.

Methods The present descriptive study was conducted on randomly selected patients attending outpatient department (OPD) of in community health center, Chenani for a period of one year from August 2018 to July 2019. Patients were selected without the pathology of central nervous system for the further analysis.

Results 85 (75.89%) patients had gastro-esophageal reflux disease. Tendency of GERD was found higher among females (54.12%). Positive H. pylorus was found for 21 patients (24.71%). 65 (74.71%) patients with vertigo positive had GERD. When acid refluxes into the upper GI system, it can affect the tubes that lead to the inner ear. When these tubes become irritated, swelling can occur, causing a loss of balance and common with GERD that occurs when lying down after a meal.

Conclusions It present data confirms the hypothesis that one of the peripheral vertigo causes could be GERD, by way of a mechanism which may include reflux of gastric acids causing inflammation or local infection. The present study found a definite prevalence of GERD and H. Pylori among patients with peripheral vertigo.