What is Vertigo? Symptoms, Causes, & Treatment

Vertigo is the false sensation that you or your surroundings are spinning or moving when everything is actually still. It's different from general dizziness or feeling lightheaded. Instead, vertigo creates a specific spinning feeling that can range from mild and brief to severe and disabling.

This condition affects millions of people and often comes with nausea, balance problems, and anxiety. While vertigo can feel frightening when it happens, most cases are treatable and not dangerous to your overall health.

What are the symptoms of vertigo?

The main symptom of vertigo is a spinning sensation, but it rarely comes alone. You might feel like you're on a carnival ride that won't stop, even when you're sitting or lying perfectly still.

Here are the symptoms you might experience along with that spinning feeling:

• Nausea and vomiting, especially during severe episodes
• Balance problems and unsteadiness when walking
• Headaches that may worsen with head movement
• Sweating, particularly during intense spinning episodes
• Hearing changes like ringing in the ears or temporary hearing loss
• Eye movements you can't control, called nystagmus
• Feeling full or pressure in one or both ears

These symptoms can last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours or even days. The intensity often depends on what's causing your vertigo and how your body responds to the spinning sensation.

What are the types of vertigo?

Vertigo falls into two main categories based on where the problem originates in your body. Understanding which type you have helps doctors choose the right treatment approach.

Peripheral vertigo happens when there's an issue with your inner ear, which controls your balance. This is the most common type and includes conditions like BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo), labyrinthitis, and Meniere's disease. Peripheral vertigo often comes with hearing problems and feels more intense.

Central vertigo occurs when something affects your brain or brainstem. This type is less common but can be more serious. It might develop from migraines, multiple sclerosis, or other neurological conditions. Central vertigo usually doesn't affect your hearing but may come with other neurological symptoms.

What causes vertigo?

Most vertigo cases stem from problems in your inner ear, where tiny organs help you maintain balance. These delicate structures can get disrupted by infections, injuries, or age-related changes.

Let's break down the common causes you should know about:

• BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo): Tiny calcium crystals in your inner ear get displaced, causing brief spinning episodes when you move your head
• Labyrinthitis: Viral or bacterial infections inflame the inner ear structures responsible for balance
• Vestibular neuritis: Inflammation of the vestibular nerve, which carries balance information from your ear to your brain
• Meniere's disease: Excess fluid buildup in the inner ear that affects both hearing and balance
• Medications: Certain antibiotics, diuretics, and other drugs can damage inner ear structures
• Head injuries: Trauma can dislodge inner ear crystals or damage balance organs

Less commonly, vertigo might signal more serious conditions like migraines, acoustic neuromas (benign tumors), or rarely, strokes affecting the brainstem. These central causes often come with additional symptoms beyond just the spinning sensation.

When to see a doctor for vertigo?

You should seek medical attention if your vertigo is severe, persistent, or comes with concerning symptoms. While most vertigo isn't dangerous, some situations need prompt evaluation.

Contact your doctor soon if you experience vertigo with fever, severe headache, hearing loss, or weakness in your arms or legs. These symptoms might indicate infections or other conditions that need treatment.

Seek emergency care immediately if your vertigo comes with double vision, difficulty speaking, severe coordination problems, or numbness in your face or limbs. These symptoms could signal a stroke or other serious neurological condition that requires urgent attention.

What are the risk factors for vertigo?

Several factors can increase your chances of developing vertigo, though having these risk factors doesn't guarantee you'll experience it. Understanding them helps you stay aware of potential triggers.

Age plays a significant role, as vertigo becomes more common after age 40. Your inner ear structures naturally change over time, making balance problems more likely. Women tend to experience certain types of vertigo, like BPPV, more frequently than men.

Here are other factors that may increase your risk:

• Previous head injuries or ear trauma
• Frequent ear infections or sinus problems
• Taking medications that affect your inner ear
• Having migraines or other neurological conditions
• Family history of Meniere's disease or similar inner ear disorders
• Prolonged bed rest, which can affect inner ear crystal positioning

Certain lifestyle factors like stress, lack of sleep, and dehydration might trigger vertigo episodes in people who are already prone to them. However, many people develop vertigo without any obvious risk factors.

What are the possible complications of vertigo?

While vertigo itself usually isn't dangerous, it can lead to complications that affect your daily life and safety. The spinning sensation and balance problems can create risks you'll want to manage carefully.

Falls are the most immediate concern, especially for older adults. When vertigo strikes suddenly, you might lose your balance and injure yourself. This risk is higher in bathrooms, on stairs, or when walking on uneven surfaces.

Here are other complications that might develop:

• Persistent nausea and vomiting leading to dehydration
• Anxiety and panic attacks triggered by fear of vertigo episodes
• Social isolation from avoiding activities that might trigger symptoms
• Difficulty driving or operating machinery safely
• Sleep problems if vertigo worsens when lying down
• Depression from chronic symptoms affecting quality of life

In rare cases, untreated underlying conditions causing vertigo might lead to permanent hearing loss or ongoing balance problems. This is why proper diagnosis and treatment are important for your long-term wellbeing.

How can vertigo be prevented?

While you can't prevent all types of vertigo, certain strategies can reduce your risk of episodes and help you manage triggers more effectively. Prevention often focuses on protecting your inner ear and maintaining good overall health.

Taking care of your ears is essential. Treat ear infections promptly, avoid inserting objects into your ears, and protect your hearing from loud noises. If you swim frequently, dry your ears thoroughly to prevent infections that might trigger vertigo.

These lifestyle approaches may help reduce your vertigo risk:

• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day
• Get adequate sleep to help your nervous system function properly
• Manage stress through relaxation techniques or regular exercise
• Avoid sudden head movements if you're prone to BPPV
• Limit caffeine, alcohol, and salt, which might trigger Meniere's disease
• Take medications as prescribed and discuss side effects with your doctor

If you've had vertigo before, identifying your personal triggers can help you avoid future episodes. Some people notice patterns related to certain positions, stress levels, or dietary factors.

How is vertigo diagnosed?

Diagnosing vertigo involves your doctor gathering information about your symptoms and performing specific tests to identify the underlying cause. The process usually starts with a detailed conversation about when and how your vertigo occurs.

Your doctor will ask about the spinning sensation, how long episodes last, what triggers them, and any other symptoms you experience. They'll also want to know about your medical history, current medications, and any recent illnesses or injuries.

During the physical examination, your doctor might perform these tests:

• Dix-Hallpike maneuver: Moving your head in specific positions to trigger BPPV symptoms
• Head impulse test: Quick head movements while you focus on a target to check inner ear function
• Balance tests: Standing or walking exercises to assess your stability
• Hearing tests: Checking if hearing loss accompanies your vertigo
• Eye movement examination: Looking for abnormal eye movements that indicate inner ear problems

If your doctor suspects a more serious cause, they might order additional tests like MRI scans, blood tests, or specialized balance studies. However, most vertigo cases can be diagnosed through the initial examination and symptom assessment.

What is the treatment for vertigo?

Treatment for vertigo depends on what's causing your symptoms, but many effective options can provide relief. The good news is that most types of vertigo respond well to treatment, and many episodes resolve on their own.

For BPPV, the most common cause, doctors often use canalith repositioning procedures. These involve specific head movements that help move displaced crystals back to their proper location in your inner ear. The Epley maneuver is one such technique that can be highly effective.

Here are other treatment approaches your doctor might recommend:

• Medications: Anti-nausea drugs, antihistamines, or benzodiazepines for symptom relief
• Vestibular rehabilitation: Physical therapy exercises to improve balance and reduce dizziness
• Diuretics: For Meniere's disease to reduce fluid buildup in the inner ear
• Antibiotics: If bacterial infection is causing labyrinthitis
• Migraine treatments: If vertigo is related to migraine headaches
• Surgery: Rarely needed, only for severe cases that don't respond to other treatments

Your treatment plan will be tailored to your specific type of vertigo and symptoms. Many people see significant improvement within days to weeks of starting appropriate treatment.

How to manage vertigo at home?

Several home strategies can help you cope with vertigo episodes and reduce their impact on your daily life. These approaches work best alongside professional treatment, not as replacements for medical care.

During a vertigo episode, find a safe place to sit or lie down immediately. Keep your head still and focus on a fixed object in the room. Avoid bright lights and try to stay in a quiet environment until the spinning subsides.

These home management techniques can provide additional relief:

• Sleep with your head slightly elevated using extra pillows
• Move slowly and deliberately, especially when getting up or changing positions
• Use good lighting to help your visual system compensate for balance issues
• Stay hydrated and eat small, frequent meals to prevent nausea
• Practice deep breathing or relaxation techniques during episodes
• Remove tripping hazards from your home to prevent falls
• Consider using a cane or walker if balance problems persist

Keep a symptom diary to track patterns in your vertigo episodes. Note what you were doing when symptoms started, how long they lasted, and what seemed to help. This information can be valuable for your healthcare provider.

How should you prepare for your doctor appointment?

Preparing for your appointment helps ensure you get the most accurate diagnosis and effective treatment plan. Your doctor will rely heavily on your description of symptoms, so gathering detailed information beforehand is crucial.

Before your visit, write down exactly what the spinning sensation feels like and when it occurs. Note whether certain positions, movements, or activities seem to trigger your vertigo. Also, record how long episodes typically last and what other symptoms accompany them.

Bring this important information to your appointment:

• Complete list of current medications, including over-the-counter drugs
• Record of recent illnesses, injuries, or changes in your health
• Family history of ear problems, migraines, or neurological conditions
• Questions about your symptoms, treatment options, and daily life modifications
• Information about how vertigo affects your work, driving, and daily activities

Consider bringing a trusted friend or family member who can help describe your symptoms if you experience vertigo during the appointment. They might also remember details you forget and can help you understand treatment instructions.

What's the key takeaway about vertigo?

Vertigo is a common condition that causes spinning sensations, but it's usually treatable and not dangerous to your overall health. Most cases stem from inner ear problems that respond well to appropriate treatment approaches.

The most important thing to remember is that you don't have to suffer through vertigo episodes alone. Effective treatments exist for most types of vertigo, and your healthcare provider can help identify the underlying cause and develop a treatment plan that works for you.

While vertigo can be unsettling and disruptive, many people successfully manage their symptoms and return to their normal activities. With proper diagnosis, treatment, and some lifestyle adjustments, you can regain your balance and confidence in daily life.