Vertigo is a medical condition that creates a false sensation of movement. A person feels as if they or their surroundings are spinning or rotating even when there is no actual motion. It is not a disease itself but a symptom of an underlying problem, usually related to the inner ear or brain.

Symptoms of Vertigo

Common symptoms include:

• Spinning or rotating sensation
• Loss of balance or unsteadiness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Sweating
• Abnormal eye movements (nystagmus)
• Headache or pressure in the head
• Ringing in ears (in some cases)
• Difficulty focusing or walking straight

Causes of Vertigo

Vertigo can be caused by several conditions affecting the inner ear or nervous system:

• Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
• Inner ear infections (Labyrinthitis)
• Meniere’s disease
• Vestibular neuritis
• Head or neck injury
• Migraine-associated vertigo
• Stroke or reduced blood flow to the brain (rare but serious)
• Certain medications causing ear toxicity

Types of Vertigo

1. Peripheral Vertigo

Caused by problems in the inner ear or vestibular nerve. It is the most common type. Examples include BPPV, Meniere’s disease, and vestibular neuritis.

2. Central Vertigo

Caused by problems in the brain (especially brainstem or cerebellum). Examples include stroke, multiple sclerosis, and brain tumors.

Diagnosis of Vertigo

Doctors use several methods to diagnose vertigo:

• Medical history and symptom analysis
• Physical examination
• Dix-Hallpike test (for BPPV)
• Hearing tests
• MRI or CT scan (to rule out brain causes)
• Blood tests (if needed)
• Electronystagmography (eye movement test)

Treatment of Vertigo

Treatment depends on the cause:

• BPPV: Head repositioning maneuvers (Epley maneuver)
• Infections: Antibiotics or antivirals
• Meniere’s disease: Salt restriction, diuretics, lifestyle changes
• Vestibular neuritis: Rest, steroids, vestibular rehabilitation
• Severe symptoms: Anti-nausea and anti-vertigo medications
• Chronic cases: Balance therapy (vestibular rehabilitation exercises)

Prevention of Vertigo

While not all vertigo can be prevented, risk can be reduced by:

• Staying hydrated
• Avoiding sudden head movements
• Managing stress and anxiety
• Controlling blood pressure
• Reducing salt intake (especially in Meniere’s disease)
• Avoiding alcohol and smoking
• Regular ear and neurological check-ups if prone to dizziness

When to See a Doctor

Seek immediate medical attention if vertigo is accompanied by:

• Sudden severe headache
• Double vision or vision loss
• Difficulty speaking
• Weakness in arms or legs
• Loss of consciousness
• Persistent vomiting
• Chest pain or irregular heartbeat