Vertigo refers to dizziness. It is a sensation of movement illusion caused by the perception of a motion that does not actually exist, due to a disorder in the balance system. A person may feel as if they or their surroundings are moving. This sensation can manifest as spinning, tilting, or feeling upside-down. Many diseases can cause balance system disorders, leading to vertigo as a symptom.
What Are the Symptoms of Vertigo?
Vertigo (dizziness) is not a disease itself but a symptom resulting from an underlying condition. It is a sensation of sudden and rapid movement of the surroundings caused by diseases affecting the balance system.
How Do Vertigo Attacks Happen?
Vertigo attacks may involve intense spinning of the surroundings, a sensation of the ground slipping away, or objects appearing to fly in front of the eyes. These episodes may sometimes be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, ringing or buzzing in the ears, a feeling of pressure and fullness in the ears, and difficulty walking.
How Long Do Vertigo Attacks Last?
In BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo), vertigo attacks last seconds.
In Meniere’s disease, they may last minutes to hours.
In vestibular neuritis, vertigo attacks can last for 2-3 days with severe and persistent symptoms, and complete recovery may take 3-4 weeks.
In cases of bilateral vestibular weakness or conditions involving the cerebellum, there are no severe vertigo attacks. Instead, patients experience constant imbalance.
Is Vertigo a Dangerous Condition?
Vertigo is not a dangerous disease. However, during attacks, patients may be at risk of falls, which can lead to fractures or injuries.
What Helps with Vertigo?
What helps with vertigo depends on the underlying cause. It may involve medication or dietary changes, specific maneuvers, or vestibular rehabilitation.
What Is the Most Distinctive Feature of Vertigo?
Commonly referred to as dizziness, vertigo is the sensation of movement illusion caused by the perception of a motion that does not actually exist. A person may feel as though they or their surroundings are moving. This sensation can manifest as spinning, tilting, or feeling upside-down. Severe cases may also involve nausea, vomiting, fullness or pressure in the ears, ringing, or difficulty walking.