If you have vertigo, you might feel like you’re moving or spinning when you’re not. Or you may feel like your surroundings are in motion when they aren’t.
Many people describe vertigo as feeling dizzy, but it’s different than being light-headed.
Simple movements are unusually intense for people with vertigo, and the condition can impact your everyday life.
Your symptoms will probably depend on what’s causing your episodes and the type of vertigo you have.
Vertigo is considered a common symptom. Nearly 40 percent of all adults in the United States experience vertigo at least once during their lifetime, according to the University of California San Francisco Medical Center. (1)
Vertigo is typically more prevalent in older people, but it can affect anyone at any age. Women are slightly more likely to experience vertigo symptoms than men.
Other research has shown that about 12.5 million adults over age 65 in the United States have a dizziness or balance issue that significantly interferes with their lives. (2)
According to the National Dizzy and Balance Center, there are between 5 million and 8 million doctor’s visits for dizziness in the United States each year, and dizziness is a primary reason for an office visit in people over age 75. (2)
The two main types of vertigo are:
RSV-HSN: A New Type of Vertigo?
Researchers recently discovered a new kind of vertigo. In a study published in June 2018 in the journal Neurology, scientists called it “recurrent spontaneous vertigo with head-shaking nystagmus” (RSV-HSN).(3)
To diagnose this condition, participants sat in a dark room while an examiner moved their heads forward and then side-to-side for about 15 seconds. Next, researchers video-recorded the participants’ eye motions. Results showed those with RSV-HSN had eye movements, known as “nystagmus,” that lasted longer than it does in others with vertigo. (3)
The scientists say that, compared to other types of vertigo, RSV-HSN involves more severe bouts of motion sickness. In the study, people with RSV-HSN had attacks that included nausea, vomiting, headaches, and intolerance of head motions. They experienced symptoms anywhere from a few times a week to once a year.(3)
At this point, the cause of RSV-HSN isn’t known, but the condition does seem to respond well to medication. (3)
Symptoms of vertigo are often the result of an inner ear (vestibular system) problem. Your inner ear plays a big role in helping you feel balanced.
Inside your ear, there’s a tiny organ called the vestibular labyrinth, which includes semicircular canals that contain fluid and hair-like sensors.
Other structures in the ear, called otolith organs, help monitor the movement and position of your head in relation to gravity. Otolith organs contain small crystals that make you responsive to gravity.
Sometimes, these crystals can break free and move into the semicircular canals. This can irritate the hair cells within the canals and make them more sensitive to head position changes. It can allow for false messages about your body’s position to be sent to your brain.
Basically, inner ear disorders cause your brain to obtain signals from the inner ear that don’t match up with what your eyes and sensory nerves (nerves that send messages to your brain) receive.
Symptoms of vertigo vary from person to person. Your symptoms might be mild or severe, depending on what’s causing the issue.
Some common signs and symptoms of peripheral vertigo include:
Central vertigo may cause signs and symptoms, such as:
Many people describe vertigo as feeling like the room is spinning. It might cause you to feel like you’re tilted, rocking, unbalanced, or unsteady.
Sometimes, these unpleasant sensations are worse if you’re standing up, walking, or moving your head around. Many people describe these feelings as physically exhausting and taxing. Sometimes, the sensations are so severe that you feel nauseous or experience vomiting.
Symptoms can last a few minutes, or they can persist for hours. Some people have constant, chronic episodes of vertigo. Others have vertigo symptoms that go away and then reappear after some time.
Usually symptoms of vertigo don’t include light-headedness, fainting, or motion sickness.
You should see a doctor if you have vertigo symptoms that come back periodically for more than one week. (4)
It’s also a good idea to see your healthcare provider if you have any type of dizziness that interferes with your daily activities.
Many different medical conditions can lead to vertigo. Your physician can recommend tests to help you figure out what’s causing your symptoms. Sometimes, this process can take a while.
A primary care physician may be able to diagnose the cause of your vertigo. In fact, about 91 percent of people with vertigo are managed by their general practitioner. (5)
You may also be referred to a specialist, such as an otolaryngologist or a neurologist, to help diagnose or treat your condition.
Symptoms of vertigo are rarely caused by a serious, life-threatening condition. But, you should visit your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical care if you experience dizziness along with the following:
Vertigo can impact your daily life. If your episodes are frequent or severe, you may not be able to work, drive, or perform other tasks.
Typically, people with persistent vertigo are advised not to drive or operate machinery because these activities can pose dangers to the individuals and others.
Vertigo can also lead to falls, which may cause injuries. Falling is particularly a concern for older people, who are more prone to bone fractures and other complications. In fact, falling is the number one cause of fatal and nonfatal accidents in older Americans, according to the National Council on Aging. (6)
Living with vertigo can be frustrating. Your episodes might be unpredictable and sporadic. Some days, you may not experience any symptoms, while other days, you might have debilitating bouts of dizziness.
The good news is there are effective treatment options that can improve your symptoms and quality of life.
Vertigo isn’t a disease itself. Instead, it’s a symptom of other conditions. Finding out what’s causing your symptoms is one of the first measures your doctor will take in assessing how to cure vertigo. You’ll need to know what’s triggering your dizziness before you can treat it. Identifying specific risk factors and medical conditions can be helpful.
An array of issues can cause vertigo. Some of the most common are conditions known as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), Ménière's disease, and labyrinthitis. Less common causes might include migraines, medication, head injuries, stroke, and others.
Being a woman, having a family member with vertigo, being over age 50, and experiencing high levels of stress can all up your risk of having a vertigo episode. Other factors can also increase your chances of developing symptoms. Knowing and avoiding certain risk factors may help prevent vertigo.
Diagnosing vertigo isn’t always simple. In fact, it can be a tricky and involved process. That’s because people with dizziness often have trouble describing their specific symptoms.
First, your doctor will try to find out if you have “true vertigo” by asking about your specific complaints. Then, the focus will be on diagnosing a cause. Your physician might inquire about your family and medical history, perform a physical exam, and order various tests.
Sometimes people with vertigo are referred to a special doctor who focuses on inner ear or balance problems. When choosing a specialist, you should consider his or her education, training, and experience. You might also want to ask if the specialist’s facility has equipment for diagnosing and treating vertigo disorders.
While the diagnostic process might seem tedious at times, it’s important to stay the course, so you can find out what’s causing your symptoms.
Want to find out what’s causing your vertigo? There’s a test for that! Most of these exams are simple and painless. But, some can be complicated and uncomfortable.
Certain tests are physical exam maneuvers involving moving your head and body around to see what’s causing your vertigo. Some are performed to determine if your vertigo is triggered by an inner ear problem. Others measure your balance, analyze your eye movements, or assess what side of your body is affected by vertigo. Imaging tests, such as a computerized tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), can be used to let doctors see what’s going on inside your body. In some cases, hearing tests, vision tests, blood work, and even allergy tests are also used.
Each person may require different testing, depending on the suspected cause of vertigo. Your doctor can help you figure out what tests you’ll need to reveal the most useful information.
The good news is there are many effective treatments for vertigo. And better yet, symptoms may just go away on their own.
The Epley maneuver, a popular therapy that involves repositioning crystals in your inner ear, has up to a 90 percent success rate in helping people with the most common cause of vertigo. Other types of physical therapy are used to relieve vertigo caused by inner ear problems. Sometimes medicines, injections, psychotherapy, or surgery are needed. Your doctor can help you decide what options are best for you.
You don’t have to live with the discomfort of vertigo. Most of the time, treatments can help you control or eliminate your symptoms, so you can enjoy everyday activities.
What if you could cure your vertigo at home? Some remedies can be performed without having to go to the doctor’s office. Alternative treatments can also be used along with standard medical care.
Therapies to reposition crystals in your inner ear are popular home treatments. These include the Epley maneuver, the Semont maneuver, and the Brandt-Daroff method, to name a few.
What you put or don’t put in your mouth might also affect your condition. Many people report that changing their diets and eliminating foods that are salty, sugary, or high in caffeine can improve their symptoms. Staying hydrated is another way to help combat vertigo. Dietary supplements, such as gingko biloba extract, have also been shown to improve symptoms.
Additionally, acupuncture, yoga, meditation, exercise, and getting enough sleep might help you ward off a vertigo episode. Talk to your doctor before performing any at-home remedies.
Managing vertigo can seem overwhelming and difficult at first. Fortunately, there are a variety of resources out there that can help you learn more about the problem and navigate getting treatment.