Vertigo can be distressing but it is not usually caused by a serious medical problem. The most common cause of vertigo is benign positional paroxysmal vertigo (BPPV). This is caused by crystals in the balance centre of your inner ear moving out of place. Vertigo often gets better without treatment.
If you experience dizzy spells or the sensation of feeling off-balance, you may have vertigo without knowing. However, if the world around you is spinning while you're sitting still, it could point to a more serious condition.
You should see your GP if you have persistent signs of vertigo or it keeps coming back. Your GP will ask about your symptoms and can carry out a simple examination to help determine some types of vertigo. They may also refer you for further tests.
Common disorders such as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and vestibular neuritis are frequently confused for one another1 and for more serious central causes such as stroke.
The most common conditions are benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), vestibular migraine, Menière's disease and vestibular neuritis/labyrinthitis. Unfortunately, each of these conditions can produce symptoms very similar to those of stroke or TIA, so careful attention to symptom details is required.
A few intracranial lesions may present only with positional vertigo which are very easy to misdiagnose as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV); the clinicians should pay more attention to this disease.
Less commonly, tumors that develop in the cerebellum—the part of the brain that controls movement—may cause vertigo, a condition characterized by balance problems and room-spinning sensations.
Vertigo causes dizziness and makes you feel like you're spinning when you're not. It most commonly occurs when there's an issue with your inner ear. But you can also develop it if you have a condition affecting your brain, like a tumor or stroke.
Small strokes or hemorrhages near the fourth ventricle sometimes cause central paroxysmal positional vertigo.
A vertigo attack can last from a few seconds to hours. If you have severe vertigo, it can last for many days or months.
If you have been experiencing vertigo for more than a day or two, it's so severe that you can't stand or walk, or you are vomiting frequently and can't keep food down, you should make an appointment with a neurologist.
Balance Problems and Vertigo
Because acoustic neuromas arise from the vestibular nerve responsible for balance, unsteadiness or balance problems may be early symptoms of acoustic neuroma. Nearly half of people with acoustic neuromas notice these symptoms, which tend to worsen if the tumor grows.
That's why sleep is vital to recovery. No matter what you're battling, without quality and consistent sleep, your body will not respond as well to treatment. This holds especially true for those recovering from balance disorders, vertigo attacks, and lingering dizziness.
Central Vertigo – This is Serious!
The first and foremost danger of leaving your dizziness untreated is that you could be experiencing dysfunction in your central nervous system. In other words, something could be wrong with your heart or brain – specifically your brainstem and/or cerebellum.
Stage three sees an exponential increase in hearing loss, often accompanied by distorted sound. Although vertigo seems to diminish during this stage, the damage has already been done. The ear's balance functions have likely been devastating, resulting in significant issues with coordination and depth perception.
Sit or lie down immediately when you feel dizzy. Lie still with your eyes closed in a darkened room if you're experiencing a severe episode of vertigo. Avoid driving a car or operating heavy machinery if you experience frequent dizziness without warning. Avoid using caffeine, alcohol, salt and tobacco.
Caused by a problem in the brain, central vertigo can be linked to serious conditions such as stroke, brain tumor and multiple sclerosis. Symptoms develop gradually and are typically mild but constant and may include gait instability and loss of coordination.
Signs That Dizziness is Caused By Inner Ear Problems
If your dizziness comes with the following symptoms then it is usually a sign that it is being caused by an inner ear problem: Balance problems. Hearing loss (which can be very mild) Tinnitus.
Cancer in the brain: Some cases of dizziness or balance problems may signal the location of cancer. Dizziness may occur as a result of a brain tumor, for example. Cancers in the cerebellum—the lower back part of the brain that controls coordination—often cause these symptoms.
Other symptoms of brain tumors include severe nausea, vomiting, seizures, personality changes, difficulties with speech, muscle weakness, vision or hearing loss, and problems with learning or memory. Early detection of brain tumors requires understanding and recognition of the above symptoms.