What Is Vertigo?

Vertigo is different from general dizziness or light-headedness. It is a spinning or tilting sensation, often with nausea, and it usually points to a problem in the inner ear balance organs or the nerves and brain areas connected to them.

Common Causes

  • BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo) — brief spinning triggered by head movements such as turning in bed
  • Vestibular neuritis — sudden, prolonged vertigo, often after a viral illness
  • Ménière’s disease — episodes of vertigo with ringing in the ear, fluctuating hearing loss and ear fullness
  • Vestibular migraine — vertigo linked to migraine

How Vertigo Is Diagnosed

The history — how long episodes last, what triggers them, and any hearing symptoms — gives most of the clues. Bedside tests of eye movements and positional manoeuvres (such as the Dix-Hallpike test), hearing tests and, where needed, balance-function tests or imaging help confirm the cause.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the cause. BPPV is commonly treated with a simple repositioning manoeuvre (such as the Epley manoeuvre) that moves the displaced crystals in the inner ear. Vestibular rehabilitation exercises help the brain compensate for balance problems, while short courses of medicines may ease severe symptoms. Ménière’s disease is managed with lifestyle measures such as reducing salt, along with medication and, in selected cases, other treatments.

Seek Emergency Care If

Vertigo comes with sudden weakness or numbness, trouble speaking, double vision, a severe sudden headache or loss of consciousness — these can signal a more serious problem such as a stroke.

Living With Vertigo

Move carefully during an episode, avoid driving or climbing heights until symptoms are controlled, and keep follow-up appointments. If your vertigo keeps returning, an ENT evaluation can usually identify the cause and a suitable treatment.

This article is general health information and is not a substitute for a personal consultation. If you have symptoms, please see a doctor.