5 min read
Vertigo is a sensation of feeling off balance, you might feel like you are spinning or that the world around you is spinning. Vertigo is a symptom of a range of conditions, it can be temporary or long term. People with problems in the inner ear, brain or sensory nerve pathway may experience vertigo.
Various medical conditions can lead to vertigo, most commonly involving either an imbalance in the inner ear or a problem with the central nervous system.
Common inner ear problems that cause vertigo:
Other causes of vertigo
Vertigo can also occur with:
The causes of Vertigo are categorised into two types:
Around 80% of cases of vertigo are of this type. Peripheral vertigo usually occurs as a result of problems in the inner ear. Examples include:
Central vertigo relates to a disease or injury to the brain, such as:
A person with vertigo might feel as though their head or the world around them is moving or spinning. People with vertigo typically describe it as feeling they are:
Vertigo is a symptom, but it can lead to other associated symptoms too. These may include:
Symptoms can last from a few minutes to a few hours or more depending on the underlying cause. Noting the triggers and length of time of each episode can be helpful for a general practitioner to pinpoint the cause.
Doctors use information from a person’s medical history and clinical examinations’ findings as a basis for ordering other diagnostic tests to assess the vestibular system and rule out other potential causes of vertigo.
Most people tolerate these tests well, but some of the tests can be fatiguing and result in temporary unsteadiness. Should you have any further tests, your doctor may explain them in detail.
Some physical or diagnostic tests may include:
You can treat vertigo by managing the underlying causes. Here are the treatment options for some common causes of vertigo:
If your vertigo attacks are frequent or severe, they can have a huge impact on your life. You may not be able to work, drive or perform other daily tasks. Vertigo can lead to unsteadiness and falls, which may cause serious injuries.
Most of the time, vertigo can’t be prevented. However, knowing the disease can prevent you from getting injured by vertigo. For instance, wearing a helmet when doing sports activities such as cycling can protect you from a head injury as well as BPPV. And typically, people with persistent vertigo are advised not to drive or operate machinery work as these can pose dangers to themselves and others.
Generally, vertigo is rarely a sign of a serious condition. However, if left undiagnosed, you may delay the treatment of the more serious underlying medical problems such as a tumour or injury to the brain or neck. You should see your doctor if you experience recurrent, sudden, severe or prolonged vertigo and get urgent help if you have an associated severe headache.
Depending on the cause, vertigo may be cured by itself. For example, labyrinthitis/Vestibular neuritis which is commonly caused by viral infections will clear up on its own without treatment. However, antihistamines or motion-sickness tablets may be prescribed to alleviate associated symptoms of vertigo.
An episode of peripheral vertigo usually goes away by itself in a few minutes, occasionally lasting for hours or weeks. If your vertigo lasts a long time, happens repeatedly and worsens, make sure you seek medical help.
*This article was medically reviewed by Dr. Gordon Chak Man Cheung from the London Medical Clinic, Central, Hong Kong. Dr. Cheung is a General Practitioner in HK who received his medical degree from King’s College London, University of London. Before completing his General Practice specialist training in UK, Dr. Cheung had worked in various hospitals in London and South East England in Cardiology, Endocrinology, Oncology, Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology. He holds numerous postgraduate medical qualifications including Memberships to the Royal Colleges of Physicians in UK and to the Royal College of General Practitioners, Diploma of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Child Health as well as Clinical Dermatology.
This article was independently written by Healthy Matters. It is informative only and not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be relied upon for specific medical advice.
Healthy Matters is Hong Kong’s leading health resource. Our mission is to help you make better health decisions and take control of your health.
Our team of experts is committed to producing reliable health content that is accurate, engaging and relevant, to cover your health & wellness journey from prevention to treatment.
Whether you are looking for trusted information on health conditions, wellbeing or looking for the right doctor or service in Hong Kong, we’re here to help!
Your health matters. Begin your health journey with Healthy Matters today!