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Vertigo Triggers

Ever feel like your world is spinning and you're not sure why? Vertigo, also known as dizziness, is a symptom of a disease or something out of balance in your body. Individuals complaining of vertigo can experience sensations of spinning, whirling, lightheadedness, unsteadiness or feeling like they might faint. Vertigo is usually an inner ear problem and is a common health problem in adults.

  1. Why Is My Head Spinning?

    • Vertigo results when there is a disorder in one of the areas of the vestibular system, which includes the inner ear, vestibular nerve, brainstem, and cerebellum.

    Vertigo Symptoms

    • Vertigo is usually identified by a dizzy, lightheaded sensation or feeling that you and your world are spinning every time you move. But vertigo can also carry symptoms of nausea, visual impairment, fatigue, rapid heartbeat, sweating, muscle aches, cognitive impairment and sensitivity to light and sound. In addition to vertigo, other peripheral vestibular disorders may include ear pressure, ringing in the ears or hearing loss. Vertigo caused by a stroke or migraine or other central vestibular disorder can include symptoms of impaired consciousness, inability to speak, muscle weakness and lack of coordination. The primary risk of having vertigo is the increased chance of falling and possible injury due to the sensations of dizziness and instability.

    Peripheral Vestibular Vertigo Triggers

    • Inner ear disorders can be caused by inner ear infections, head trauma, build up of calcium and protein crystals in the ear canal and inner ear degeneration. Medications, environmental chemicals and toxins, and alcohol can also cause vertigo. Viral or bacterial ear infections, colds, influenza, meningitis, injuries and head trauma or other causes of inflammation to the ear and brain membranes can all cause symptoms of vertigo.

    Central Vestibular Vertigo Triggers

    • Vertigo can also be a symptom of a more serious disorder, including cardiovascular disorders, migraines, multiple sclerosis, tumors, stroke and other central nervous system disorders, head trauma and any disorder where a bodily system is out of balance. Your physician will determine the cause of your vertigo by administering a physical and neurological examination, and if needed, he will order blood tests, imaging tests and neurological tests to diagnosis the disorder causing your vertigo.

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