Causes of Vertigo and Balance Problems

Most often, vertigo is associated with feeling like the world is spinning around you. If you have persistent vertigo, your doctor can help you understand the most likely causes.

What is vertigo?

People experience vertigo in a number of different ways, which is why treatments for vertigo vary so wildly. Depending on the cause of your vertigo, you might get relief from medication and exercises at home. Some vertigo sufferers, however, will need physical therapy or surgery for their associated conditions.

What are the symptoms of vertigo?

Most often, vertigo is associated with feeling like the world is spinning around you. Here are the most common symptoms of vertigo:

• Dizziness, including motion sickness or a spinning sensation
• Lightheadedness or the feeling that you might faint
• Balance issues or unsteadiness
• Ringing in your ears

In addition to these main issues, you might experience some of these less common symptoms:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Difficulty hearing
• Feelings of pressure or fullness in your ear
• Eyes flitting back and forth (nystagmus)
• Blurred vision, especially when moving
• Difficulty concentrating
• Confusion

Again, different people can experience vertigo in different ways, so your vertigo may not be an exact match for someone else's. Your symptoms may also come and go over months or even years.

What are the types of vertigo?

There are two main types of vertigo to consider.

The first is peripheral vertigo. This type of vertigo happens when there's a problem with your inner ear or vestibular nerve.

Central vertigo, on the other hand, happens when a serious health condition affects your brain. Strokes and traumatic brain injuries, for example, can lead to the symptoms we mentioned above. Central vertigo sufferers should seek medical treatment, as it's difficult and dangerous to manage these types of conditions at home.

What causes dizziness?

One of the most common symptoms of vertigo is dizziness. You might feel like you're motion sick, or you might feel like you or the world around you is spinning. Unless you're feeling dizzy coming off a ride at an amusement park, here are a few common causes of this feeling:

What is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)?

This is the most common culprit when it comes to peripheral vertigo. BPPV happens when the delicate parts of your ear, the calcium crystals that help you balance, are out of place.

Can Meniere's disease cause vertigo?

If you're experiencing both ringing in your ears and dizziness, Meniere's disease may be the culprit. People who suffer from Meniere's may also notice buzzing or feelings of fullness in their ears as well as hearing difficulties that come and go.

Can migraines cause dizziness?

Certain types of migraines known as vestibular migraines can cause dizziness. Associated symptoms include nausea and sensitivity to motion.

Can a head injury cause dizziness?

Concussions and head trauma can cause dizziness, even when you're lying down. If you've had a recent injury, you may also experience nausea, headaches, and confusion.

Can an ear infection cause vertigo?

Certain infections can cause swelling in the part of your ear that affects balance. This includes conditions like vestibular neuronitis and labyrinthitis. The result can be feelings of dizziness as well as nausea, vomiting, and rapid eye movements.

What causes lightheadedness?

Lightheadedness has a huge range of causes, making it impossible to go through them all here. However, here are a few common reasons why you might feel lightheaded:

What is postural hypotension?

If you tend to feel faint or dizzy when you change positions too fast, you might have postural hypotension. This can cause your blood pressure to drop, leading to feelings of lightheadedness.

Can nutritional deficiencies cause lightheadedness?

One common culprit is an iron deficiency, which can lead to anemia and reduce the number of healthy blood cells in your body.

Can medications cause lightheadedness?

Certain medications can make you feel lightheaded.

What causes balance problems?

Some of the conditions that cause balance problems are the same as those causing dizziness or lightheadedness. Meniere's disease and inner ear infections, for example, can cause balance issues in addition to dizziness. However, there are a few other reasons you might be unsteady on your feet:

What is an acoustic neuroma?

This type of benign tumor can develop near the nerves that lead from your inner ear to your brain. Because it puts pressure on these systems, it can affect your balance and make it harder to hear.

What is Mal de Debarquement Syndrome (MdDS)?

One of the most mysterious balance disorders is MdDS. French for "sickness of disembarkment," this condition is a feeling of seasickness, swaying, or rocking that continues long after you've left a boat. This condition can last for months or years, though doctors aren't sure why.

What should you do about inner ear vertigo?

If you have persistent vertigo, your doctor can help you understand the most likely causes. From scheduling labs that check for anemia to offering treatment options for a head injury, they're your best bet for addressing the root issue.

What about exercise for vertigo?

For some people, certain exercises can be an effective way to treat vertigo. Balance exercises can help you train your movements and strengthen the muscles you depend on for balance.

Frequently Asked Questions

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