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Vertigo-Causing Diseases

The feeling of vertigo, also called dizziness, is a symptom of an underlying medical condition. Vertigo has been described as the sensation of things moving and spinning around. Vertigo-causing diseases may be the result of an infection or a health problem much more serious, such as a tumor. Vertigo that is persistent should be reported to a doctor.

  1. Acoustic Neuroma

    • An acoustic neuroma, also called vestibular schwannoma, occurs when a noncancerous growth presses on the vestibular nerve. The nerve is responsible for carrying sound and maintaining balance. A neuroma is slow growing, typically causing hearing loss that may worsen over time, and ringing in the ear. A large acoustic neuroma causes vertigo, numbness, weakness and tingling in the face.

    Herpes Zoster Oticus

    • This vertigo-causing disease is also known as Ramsay-Hunt syndrome. A virus called varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is the cause of chicken pox. Years after having the chicken pox, the virus may become reactivated, resulting in shingles. The facial and ear nerves can be affected by clusters of blisters pressing on the nerves of the inner ear, which affect hearing and balance.

    Multiple Sclerosis

    • Vertigo caused by multiple sclerosis occurs when there is damage to the area of the brain stem where the acoustic cranial nerve is located. This nerve is involved with hearing and balance. Multiple sclerosis patients also have lesions on the brain and when they are located in the cerebellum, this can also cause vertigo. Damage to the inner-ear nerves due to multiple sclerosis can also cause vertigo that occurs when in a dark room and when there is an absence of stimulation for the senses.

    Brain Tumors

    • Vertigo is a common symptom of brain tumors that are benign or malignant. Medulloblastoma and glioma brain tumors are located in the cerebellum region at the base of the brain. These types of tumors can cause hearing and balance-related health problems.

    Migraines

    • There are four types of migraine headaches. Migraines without an associated aura; migraines with an aura (also called a classic migraine); one with a prolonged aura; and a basilar migraine. The basilar and classic types can cause vertigo, which may occur before or during a migraine headache. Vertigo can also occur independently of a migraine.

    Benign Positional Vertigo

    • Benign positional vertigo (BPV) is a disorder of the inner ear affecting the fluid and microscopic crystals floating in the fluid. Vertigo typically occurs when a person turns their head to the right or left and also occurs frequently when turning over in bed. Attacks are mild and do not last for more than a minute.

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