Dizziness can be a disorienting and unsettling feeling, leaving you wondering what’s happening to your body. It’s one of those symptoms that can range from a mild sense of lightheadedness to more serious, recurring episodes that interfere with daily life. If you’ve been experiencing dizziness often, you may have encountered the term “vertigo.” But what exactly is vertigo, and why does it make you feel like the world is spinning?
In this blog post, we’ll explore what vertigo is, why it happens, and how it can be treated. We’ll also touch on how it’s linked to other conditions that can cause dizziness. Whether you’re looking for clarity on your symptoms or just want to understand vertigo better, this article will provide you with everything you need to know.
What is Vertigo?
Vertigo is a specific type of dizziness that makes you feel like either you or your surroundings are spinning or moving, even when you’re standing still. It’s different from a general feeling of lightheadedness or faintness, where you might feel like you’re going to pass out. Vertigo often causes a sensation of imbalance and can make simple tasks like walking or standing difficult. This condition is usually related to an issue in the inner ear or the brain, which controls your sense of balance.
If you’ve ever felt like the room is spinning around you, or that you are tilting even though you are standing straight, you’ve likely experienced vertigo. This feeling can last anywhere from a few seconds to several hours, and in some cases, it can even become chronic.
What Causes Vertigo?
There are several conditions that can cause vertigo, and they usually stem from issues related to the inner ear, the brain, or a combination of both. Here are the most common causes of vertigo:
- Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
BPPV is one of the most common causes of vertigo, particularly in older adults. It occurs when tiny calcium crystals inside the inner ear become dislodged and move into areas of the ear where they don’t belong. This disrupts the normal fluid flow in the inner ear, leading to feelings of vertigo. BPPV is usually triggered by sudden head movements, such as rolling over in bed or tilting your head back.
- Meniere’s Disease
Meniere’s disease is a condition that affects the inner ear and is characterised by episodes of vertigo, along with hearing loss, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), and a feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear. Meniere’s disease occurs when there is a build-up of fluid in the inner ear, which affects both hearing and balance. This condition often causes recurrent and unpredictable episodes of vertigo that can last for several hours.
- Vestibular Neuritis or Labyrinthitis
Vestibular neuritis and labyrinthitis are conditions caused by inflammation of the inner ear, often due to a viral infection. When the vestibular nerve or the labyrinth, which are responsible for balance, becomes inflamed, vertigo can result. This type of vertigo is usually accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and difficulty maintaining balance, often worsening with head movements.
- Vestibular Migraine
A vestibular migraine is a type of migraine that causes vertigo along with other migraine symptoms like headaches, light sensitivity, and nausea. The exact cause is unclear, but it is thought to be related to changes in the brain’s sensory processing and alterations in the inner ear. Vestibular migraines may not always be associated with a headache, making it difficult to identify for some people.
- Inner Ear Infections
Infections in the inner ear, including viral or bacterial infections, can cause dizziness or vertigo. The infection may cause inflammation or disruption in the normal functioning of the inner ear, which in turn affects your balance. Sometimes, this can lead to a more severe condition known as labyrinthitis, which causes vertigo as well as other symptoms.
- Head Injury or Trauma
A head injury, such as a concussion, can also result in vertigo. The trauma to the head can affect the brain’s balance centres or the structures in the inner ear, leading to symptoms of dizziness. In some cases, vertigo may be one of the first signs of a concussion.
- Neurological Conditions
Conditions that affect the brain, such as multiple sclerosis or stroke, can lead to vertigo. These conditions typically result in problems with the brain’s ability to process balance signals, which can make you feel dizzy or unsteady. If you experience vertigo alongside other symptoms such as weakness, numbness, or difficulty speaking, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately.
- Dehydration or Low Blood Pressure
Sometimes, dizziness or lightheadedness may not be directly related to the inner ear or brain but can instead be caused by other factors like dehydration or low blood pressure. Dehydration can lead to a decrease in blood volume, causing lightheadedness or dizziness, particularly when standing up quickly. Low blood pressure can also cause similar symptoms.
Symptoms of Vertigo
The main symptom of vertigo is a feeling of spinning or movement, but there are often other symptoms that accompany it. These can include:
- Loss of balance: You may feel unsteady or as if you’re going to fall.
- Nausea or vomiting: The spinning sensation can cause nausea, and in severe cases, it may result in vomiting.
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears): Many people with vertigo experience ringing or buzzing in their ears.
- Hearing loss: In some cases, vertigo can be accompanied by hearing problems, particularly if the cause is Meniere’s disease.
- Sweating: You may experience excessive sweating during an episode of vertigo.
When Should You See a Doctor?
If you experience vertigo regularly or have any of the following symptoms, it’s important to consult with a healthcare professional:
- Persistent or recurrent vertigo episodes.
- Severe dizziness that interferes with daily activities.
- Sudden hearing loss or tinnitus in addition to vertigo.
- Weakness, numbness, difficulty speaking, or vision changes, which may indicate a stroke or other serious condition.
- If vertigo occurs after an injury or trauma to the head.
A doctor, particularly a specialist like an ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) doctor or a neurologist, can help diagnose the underlying cause of your vertigo through a variety of tests, including balance assessments, hearing tests, and imaging scans.
How is Vertigo Treated?
The treatment for vertigo depends on its underlying cause. Some treatments aim to manage the symptoms, while others focus on addressing the root cause of the problem. Here are some common treatment options:
- Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT)
VRT is a type of physical therapy designed to help people with vertigo regain their balance. It involves exercises that help retrain the brain to adapt to changes in the inner ear and improve balance.
- Medications
In some cases, medications may be prescribed to treat vertigo. These can include antihistamines or anti-nausea medications to help manage symptoms. If an infection or inflammation is causing vertigo, antibiotics or steroids may be used.
- Canalith Repositioning Procedure
For BPPV, a canalith repositioning procedure (such as the Epley manoeuvre) can be done by a healthcare professional. This involves specific head movements to move the dislodged calcium crystals out of the affected area in the inner ear.
- Surgery
In rare cases, when other treatments aren’t effective, surgery may be necessary. For example, a procedure may be done to remove the damaged part of the inner ear or to decompress the vestibular nerve in severe cases of vertigo.
Preventing Vertigo
While not all cases of vertigo can be prevented, there are things you can do to reduce your risk:
- Stay hydrated to prevent dehydration-related dizziness.
- Avoid sudden head movements if you’re prone to BPPV.
- Manage underlying conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or Meniere’s disease.
- Practice good ear and balance health by seeking treatment for ear infections promptly.
Final Thoughts
Vertigo is more than just a brief spell of dizziness – it’s a medical condition that can affect your quality of life. If you’re asking, “Why am I always dizzy?” it’s essential to identify the underlying cause and get the proper treatment. Whether your vertigo is caused by BPPV, Meniere’s disease, vestibular neuritis, or another condition, understanding your symptoms is the first step in finding a solution.
If you’ve been struggling with vertigo, don’t wait – reach out to a healthcare professional. With the right diagnosis and treatment, you can manage vertigo and get back to living your life without feeling like the world is spinning out of control.
