Types of Vertigo

Vertigo is a specific form of dizziness in which you feel as though you're spinning, or that the world is spinning crazily around you. The feeling ranges from mild to severe. In very severe cases, vertigo can cause a person to feel nauseous or vomit.

Inner Ear Positional Vertigo

• Most cases of vertigo occur when you suddenly change your head position, such as when you turn or stand up quickly. This sensation is due to a problem based in the inner ear, and is called known as Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo. The term "benign" signifies that it is not related to a tumor or other serious condition. The sense of dizziness usually disappears within a minute or so.

Vision Difficulties

• Your eyes aid in giving you a sense of balance, so vision problems that cause blurring or otherwise affect how you sense the world can lead to dizziness.

Diseases of the Central Nervous System

• The central nervous system manages our sense of balance. If it's compromised by diseases like multiple sclerosis, or other conditions such as a tumor, neck damage, or stroke, symptoms of vertigo can occur.

Inflammation or Infection

• Infections such as colds, flu or other forms of inflammation that can affect the inner ear may result in vertigo, and symptoms may occur in the absence of respiratory-related problems.

Meniere's Disease

• Meniere's disease causes the inner ear to acquire a major amount of fluid which often affects your sense of balance. The feeling of dizziness may often last for a half hour or sometimes much longer.

Migraines

• Migraines are major headaches, but often affect vision as well. "Auras" that often come with migraine headaches can be flashes of light and unusual visual sensations, which can cause dizziness. Migraine-induced vertigo can last from a few minutes to days.

Misconceptions

• Simple dizziness or feeling faint do not create the dizzy feeling that characterizes vertigo. Such conditions may be caused by low blood pressure, hunger, or anxiety.