Vertigo is a type of dizziness that causes you to feel as though the “room is spinning”. The most common sensation associated with vertigo is a dizziness, or the feeling of being off-balance. Vertigo is not an illness. Instead, it is a common symptom resulting from a condition.
Common Symptoms of Vertigo
Vertigo itself is a symptom or sensation caused by some other condition. Common signs or feelings associated with vertigo include:
- Dizziness (the feeling that the environment around you is spinning, even when you're motionless)
- Loss of balance
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Sweating
- Headache
- Ringing in the ears
These symptoms may last for a few seconds up to a few hours.
Common Causes of Vertigo
Vertigo is a symptom associated with multiple health conditions. These symptoms may occur without you having a previously diagnosed condition. There are several common causes, however, of vertigo symptoms. These include:
- Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV): Your inner ear contains microscopic crystals that help orient you and monitor the movement of your head. When these crystals become displaced, any sudden movement - such as standing up quickly - can make you feel dizzy. BPPV is the medical term for this occurrence.
- Vestibular neuritis: An inflammation of the vestibular nerve, vestibular neuritis can cause prolonged episodes of vertigo and dizziness, as well as hearing loss.
- Labyrinthitis: An infection of the inner ear, labyrinthitis is commonly triggered by a common cold or the flu. Labyrinthitis can cause vertigo, dizziness, and hearing loss.
- Meniere’s disease: Meniere’s disease can affect people of any age but is most commonly found in adults between the ages of 40-65. Changes in the inner ear result in episodes of vertigo, dizziness, hearing loss, and tinnitus.
Other common causes of vertigo include:
- Headaches
- Ear infections
- Head injury
- Stroke
- Multiple sclerosis
Vertigo is a very common sensation that nearly everyone experiences from time to time. If you experience persistent vertigo or dizziness, talk to your doctor. Vertigo in and of itself is not a cause for concern, but if the symptom does not go away after a few seconds, or if it recurs frequently, it may signify a serious health condition.