Vertigo is the sensation of spinning or whirling, often accompanied by nausea and imbalance. It’s not a disease itself, but a symptom of an underlying problem affecting your inner ear, brain, or vestibular system – the system responsible for balance.
Common Causes of Vertigo
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a frequent culprit. It occurs when tiny calcium crystals (otoconia) in your inner ear become dislodged, causing brief episodes of vertigo triggered by specific head movements. Another common cause is vestibular neuritis, an inflammation of the vestibular nerve affecting balance. This often follows a viral infection, resulting in persistent vertigo and imbalance. Ménière’s disease, characterized by episodes of vertigo, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), hearing loss, and a feeling of fullness in the ear, also contributes significantly to vertigo cases. Lastly, migraines can cause vertigo, often alongside other migraine symptoms.
Less Common but Significant Causes
Less frequently, vertigo stems from problems in the brain, such as strokes, tumors, or multiple sclerosis. These conditions disrupt the brain’s ability to process balance information correctly. Certain medications, particularly those affecting the inner ear or nervous system, also have vertigo as a potential side effect. Head injuries can also damage the structures responsible for balance, leading to vertigo. Therefore, a thorough medical evaluation is always recommended to determine the root cause of your vertigo.
