“What causes vertigo?”
I've been having balance problems and dizziness. What causes vertigo?
1 Answer
DoctorNeurologist
Vertigo is the feeling that you or your surroundings are spinning or moving when you’re actually not. It’s usually caused by problems in the inner ear or the brain areas that control balance.
Common Causes of Vertigo:
BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo)
This is the most common cause. Tiny crystals in your inner ear that help with balance can get knocked out of place.
It often happens when you roll over in bed, tilt your head back, or bend down.
Inner Ear Infections (Vestibular Neuritis or Labyrinthitis)
A virus (like a cold) can cause swelling in the balance part of your inner ear. You might feel dizzy all of a sudden, sometimes with nausea or trouble walking straight.
Meniere’s Disease
This happens when there’s too much fluid in the inner ear.
You might have dizzy spells that last longer (minutes to hours), along with ear pressure, ringing in the ear, or hearing loss.
Migraine-Related Vertigo
Even without a headache, migraines can mess with your balance.
You might feel dizzy or off-balance before, during, or after a migraine attack.
Other Causes
Some medicines (especially ones that affect the inner ear)
Head injuries
In rare cases, things like a stroke or a growth on the hearing nerve (acoustic neuroma)
Common Causes of Vertigo:
BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo)
This is the most common cause. Tiny crystals in your inner ear that help with balance can get knocked out of place.
It often happens when you roll over in bed, tilt your head back, or bend down.
Inner Ear Infections (Vestibular Neuritis or Labyrinthitis)
A virus (like a cold) can cause swelling in the balance part of your inner ear. You might feel dizzy all of a sudden, sometimes with nausea or trouble walking straight.
Meniere’s Disease
This happens when there’s too much fluid in the inner ear.
You might have dizzy spells that last longer (minutes to hours), along with ear pressure, ringing in the ear, or hearing loss.
Migraine-Related Vertigo
Even without a headache, migraines can mess with your balance.
You might feel dizzy or off-balance before, during, or after a migraine attack.
Other Causes
Some medicines (especially ones that affect the inner ear)
Head injuries
In rare cases, things like a stroke or a growth on the hearing nerve (acoustic neuroma)
