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Causes of Horizontal Vertigo

Vertigo is a disorienting and sometimes painful condition in which the body thinks that it is moving when it is not. If you are suffering from vertigo, it makes you feel as if you or the room is spinning. Vertigo can cause headaches, lightheadedness and nausea, vomiting and can affect an individual's ability to properly balance himself. Experiencing vertigo while in a horizontal position is called benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. Depending on the cause, horizontal vertigo can be short-term or permanent.

  1. Loose Particles

    • When particles or debris composed of calcium carbonate and protein, called otoliths, or ear crystals, become dislodged in the inner ear, the particles can shift. The shifting particles are falsely interpreted by the brain as body movement, and the result is vertigo. In BPPV, or horizontal vertigo, this can happen if the person makes minor changes in their head position. Head injuries also can cause particles to break loose. In older individuals, the natural degradation of the inner ear also can cause particles to loosen.

    Improper Diet

    • A diet high in sodium can affect the body's fluid levels and regulation, causing inner ear issues such as horizontal vertigo. Alcohol also alters the volume and composition of inner ear fluids, according to the Vestibular Disorders Association. Limiting alcohol intake can lessen instances of vertigo.

    Infection

    • Bacterial and viral infections can alter the ability of the inner ear to function properly. For bacterial infections, a doctor can prescribe antibiotics, while viral infections will resolve themselves in time. Bacterial infections in the inner ear are typically a secondary effect of middle ear infections or bacterial meningitis, while viral infections can occur on their own or as accompanying infections to a cold or the flu.

    Harmful Substances

    • Metals, such as lead, tin and mercury, can poison the ear, called ototoxicity. This can damage the inner ear and the acoustical nerve, or eighth cranial nerve. These environmental metals can be found in certain medications. Vertigo from harmful substances such as metals can be permanent if not treated.

    Meniere's Disease

    • Meniere's disease is the buildup of fluid in compartments of the inner ear, which interferes with the brain's ability to understand hearing signals from the ear. In addition to vertigo, Meniere's disease causes tinnitus, or ringing in the ears. While the exact cause of Meniere's disease is unknown, some believe it is caused by constrictions of the blood vessels similar to constrictions that cause migraines, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Meniere's disease does not have a cure.

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