Quick Answer: Causes of Dizziness & Vertigo
- BPPV: Dislodged calcium crystals in the inner ear (most common cause).
- Vestibular Migraines: Migraines that cause spinning instead of (or with) head pain.
- Meniere's Disease: Inner ear disorder causing vertigo, tinnitus, and hearing loss.
- Vestibular Neuritis: Inflammation of the inner ear nerves, usually from a virus.
There are few things more terrifying than feeling like the room is violently spinning, swaying, or tilting when you are standing completely still. It’s incredibly disorienting and can make you feel completely helpless. If you find yourself frequently searching for a dizziness doctor near me, it’s time to stop guessing and figure out the root cause. Dizziness isn't a disease itself; it's your body's alarm bell telling you that something is off, usually within your inner ear or your brain's balance centers.
Dizziness vs. Vertigo: What's the Difference?
Patients often use these words interchangeably, but in the clinic, they mean very different things to me. Dizziness is that general feeling of being lightheaded, woozy, or unsteady on your feet. Vertigo is a very specific, intense sensation that you—or the room around you—are physically spinning or moving.
Common Causes of Chronic Dizziness and Vertigo
- BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo): The most common cause of vertigo. It occurs when tiny calcium crystals in your inner ear become dislodged and move into the semicircular canals. It's usually triggered by specific head movements.
- Vestibular Migraines: Some people experience migraines with vertigo instead of, or alongside, a headache. This can cause severe dizziness, extreme sensitivity to motion, and nausea.
- Meniere's Disease: An inner ear disorder characterized by episodes of severe vertigo, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), hearing loss, and a feeling of fullness in the ear.
- Vestibular Neuritis or Labyrinthitis: An infection (usually viral) that causes inflammation in the inner ear around nerves that are important for helping the body sense balance.
How We Find the Root Cause
Because your balance system is a highly complex network involving your inner ear, your eyes, your sensory nerves, and your brain, you really need a thorough neurological examination to get to the bottom of it. As a specialist in Gait & Balance Disorders trained at the American Institute of Balance, with published literature on Vestibular Rehabilitation, my job is to play detective. The right diagnosis completely changes the treatment plan. For example, if you have BPPV, I can often cure it right here in the office during a single visit using specific physical movements (like the Epley maneuver). If it's Vestibular Migraines, we'll take a completely different medical approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between dizziness and vertigo?
Dizziness is a general feeling of being lightheaded, unsteady, or faint. Vertigo is a specific type of dizziness where you feel a false sensation that you or your surroundings are spinning or moving.
What is BPPV and can it be cured?
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) is a common cause of vertigo triggered by changes in head position. A neurologist can often cure it in the office using specific physical head movements like the Epley maneuver.
When should dizziness be treated as a medical emergency?
Seek immediate emergency care if your dizziness is accompanied by a sudden, severe headache, difficulty speaking, numbness or weakness, vision changes, or difficulty walking, as these could be signs of a stroke.
Regain Your Balance
Chronic dizziness drastically increases your risk of falls and injuries. Stop living with the anxiety of a vertigo attack. Get a definitive diagnosis and treatment plan today.
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