Dizziness or Vertigo: Causes, Symptoms, and When to Seek Help

Ever feel like your world is spinning, and not in the "I've got a lot going on" kind of way? That dizzy, disorienting sensation might be vertigo.

Vertigo is a medical symptom that makes you feel like you or your surroundings are moving when they're not. It's often caused by problems in the inner ear or brain. While it might sound like a carnival ride gone wrong, it's surprisingly common and usually treatable.

In younger people, vertigo is often linked to inner ear issues. In older adults, it can sometimes signal something more serious, so health care providers need to check carefully.

Here's a breakdown of what vertigo is, including symptoms, causes and treatments:

What Is Vertigo?

Vertigo isn't just dizziness; it's the unsettling feeling that you or your surroundings are spinning or feel off balance even when you're standing still.

Today, doctors don't just ask what vertigo feels like, they also look for what triggers it and when it happens. This helps them figure out whether it's something common, like an inner ear problem, or something more serious involving the brain.

Vertigo episodes can last anywhere from a few minutes to several months, depending on the cause. For many people, the dizzy spells come and go. The good news is there are ways to ease the symptoms and reduce the chances of it coming back, including physical therapy and medication.

Types of Vertigo and Their Causes

Vertigo is usually created due to a disruption in your vestibular system, which is a part of your body that allows you to understand what's going on and helps keep you balanced. This system works together with your eyes and their muscles to keep your body upright.

But there could be a larger factor playing in this. There are two common types of vertigo:

Peripheral Vertigo

This is the most common type of vertigo, accounting for over 80% of all diagnoses. It's caused by a disruption in the inner ear or the vestibular nerve. From swelling to tearing in your ear, these abnormalities can cause loss of balance and severe dizziness.

Central Vertigo

This less common type of vertigo makes up 20% of and is caused by an issue in your brain and can be more extreme. Often the problem can be found in your cerebellum or brainstem, causing you to feel unbalanced. Your doctor will usually perform a physical exam to determine if you need a brain scan or another procedure to figure out the root cause, which may include:

• Brain tumor
• Migraine
• Trauma to the brain

Symptoms

The first common sign of a vertigo episode is dizziness and loss of balance. But there are many more indicators of this medical symptom:

Rapid eye movements, usually involuntary

• Persisting headaches
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Hearing loss
• Ringing in the ears or tinnitus

Treatments

Most of the time, vertigo is treated with special exercises or medication to ease symptoms. In rare instances, more advanced treatments may be needed. Many patients find relief through a combination of medicine and physical therapy.

Oral medications can help when symptoms last for several hours or days. Doctors often prescribe antihistamines, such as meclizine or betahistine, to reduce the spinning sensation and nausea. Because some of these drugs can cause drowsiness, they're used with extra caution, especially in older adults.

Another common treatment is vestibular rehabilitation therapy. This type of physical therapy helps the brain learn to use signals from the body and eyes to maintain balance. It often reduces dizziness, especially when changing positions or moving.

One simple technique used in treatment is the Epley maneuver. This quick, five-minute movement can be done at home or by a provider. It involves lying down and turning the head in specific ways several times a day until symptoms improve.

If vertigo doesn't go away on its own, talk to your primary care provider to rule out any underlying conditions. If symptoms continue, you should consider visiting an ear, nose and throat specialist like those at EvergreenHealth ENT + Head & Neck Surgical Care.