What Is Vertigo? What Causes It, and How Is It Treated?

If you’ve ever had an episode of vertigo—whether alongside other conditions or seemingly out of nowhere—you know how distressing it can be. 

But what is vertigo, exactly? Is it just another word for dizziness? 

In this article we’ll shed some light on what exactly vertigo is, its common causes, and what  can help if you experience it. 

Note: This article is intended for general information purposes only and not as a substitute for professional help. If you are experiencing symptoms, consult a qualified healthcare professional for a diagnosis. 

What exactly is vertigo? 

Though you’ll often see the words ‘dizziness’ and ‘vertigo’ used interchangeably, there is some distinction between the two.

Dizziness is a broad term that describes feelings of unsteadiness, loss of equilibrium, or lightheadedness. Meanwhile, vertigo is a specific type of dizziness in which the person feels as though the room is spinning or swaying around them. 

Oftentimes, vertigo is accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and headaches. 

Vertigo is not in and of itself a disease, but rather a symptom.

What is Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo?

Imagine just going about your day like normal—not feeling unwell at all—then all of a sudden the room starts to spin around you. You’re having a vertigo episode seemingly out of nowhere.

It’s a scary experience for anyone, but it may put your mind at ease to know that a common cause of vertigo is BPPV, or benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. The term benign means it’s not life-threatening nor will it cause long-term damage. 

What causes BPPV? What does my inner ear have to do with it? 

Your inner ear has two otolith organs that play a key role in keeping your balance. 

These organs are covered in hair cells, and have tiny calcium carbonate crystals embedded in a membrane. Whenever you move your head, gravity pulls on these crystals, and the hairs detect these changes. 

The hairs send this data about your head’s position to your brain, which uses that information to maintain balance. 

BPPV occurs when these tiny crystals become dislodged from their normal location in the membrane. This disrupts the normal information that your otolith organs send to your brain, causing the spinning sensation and loss of balance. 

Other causes of vertigo

While BPPV is the leading cause of vertigo, there are other conditions that may cause it. So if you regularly experience vertigo, or have reason to suspect another underlying cause, then it’s always a good idea to seek the help of a GP. 

Here are some other common causes of vertigo apart from BPPV: 

• Meniere’s Disease: A chronic inner ear disorder that typically presents as frequent episodes of vertigo, as well as hearing loss and tinnitus. The exact cause of this disease is not certain, but it may be due to pressure or fluid buildup in the inner ear.  
• Low blood pressure: Low blood pressure can cause inadequate blood flow to your brain (especially when standing up), causing balance problems. 
• Migraines
• Certain medications 
• Diabetes

Other disorders related to the brain, such as stroke, tumours and neurological disorders can also cause vertigo.

It is important to seek the help of a qualified professional in getting a diagnosis and treatment; do not self-diagnose based on symptoms you read about online. 

What should I do if I have vertigo?

Here are ways to keep yourself safe if you’re experiencing vertigo:

During or immediately after your vertigo episode:

• Sit or lie down immediately. The biggest danger posed by vertigo is the risk of falling and hitting your head. 
• If you are in a crowded or high traffic area, seek assistance if you can to move to a safer and quieter location.  
• If possible, lie down in a dark, quiet room or at least close your eyes. 
• Take deep breaths and try to stay calm, as anxiety can worsen your symptoms.
• OTC antihistamines such as dimenhydrinate and meclizine may be used to provide relief. 
• Avoid sudden changes in head position; if you have to move your head (such as when lying down or sitting up), do so slowly.

After your vertigo episode:  

• Resume activity gradually. Following a vertigo episode, especially if severe, it may take a day or two to feel completely stable on your feet again. Ease your way back to normal activity, but continue to avoid sudden head movements. 
• Make sure to stay hydrated. 
• Avoid caffeine, alcohol, or tobacco, as these can worsen your dizziness. 
• Seek medical help if you suspect that your vertigo has an underlying cause other than BPPV.
• For elderly or mobility-impaired persons, it’s important to mitigate the risk of falling in the event of another vertigo episode. Consider having home modifications such as grab bars, handrails, non-slip mats and improved lighting to make your home safer. An occupational therapist can help you with this. 

If you experience recurring vertigo, installing grab bars can help reduce the risk of falls.

Can physiotherapy help with my vertigo? 

Yes! Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) is a form of physiotherapy specifically for helping with balance disorders. 

VRT comprises exercises and techniques that aim to:

• improve gaze stability
• strengthen postural stability
• desensitise the patient to dizziness caused by visual stimuli.

Want to learn more? Call 02 8808 4000 or use this form to enquire, and one of our highly qualified physiotherapists will get in touch with you ASAP to answer your questions!