Vertigo is a very common condition in which everything around you appears to be moving or spinning. Vertigo may have many different causes, but the main cause of vertigo is an inner ear infection, which can affect the Eustachian tube. A person experiencing vertigo may feel dizzy even when standing still, and may also feel as if the room and the objects around them are spinning, even though they may be completely still.




Though dizziness is a symptom of vertigo, the two conditions are medically different. A lot of people may use the words vertigo and dizziness interchangeably; however, in reality, these two disorders are completely different. Vertigo for one is much more serious than passing dizziness.


Since the spinning sensation in vertigo may be extremely severe, people who suffer from this condition may not be able to even move around. Vertigo may have many different causes. Some of the more common ones have been listed below.

• Inner ear infection: An inner ear infection, also known as labyrunthitis, is an infection in which there is chronic inflammation of the ear canals. The cavities in the ear, which are responsible for maintaining our sense of balance, may shrink because of this inflammation. Vertigo in this condition is triggered when you move your head or your body in a particular way. This condition is usually accompanied by general malaise and severe nausea. If the inflammation in the ear is severe, it can cause pain as well.

• Neuritis: Vestibular neuritis, the inflammation of the vestibular nerve which lies in the vestibule, or the inner ear, may also cause vertigo. Vestibular neuritis is a condition which is brought on by an infection in the upper respiratory system. Patients experience vertigo in this condition because of inflammation. However, this condition is not accompanied with ringing in the ear or any other hearing conditions.

• Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV): The canal in the inner ear contains tiny hair like sensors as well as fluids that may get dislodged due to movement of the head. If these crystals become loose, they can get dislodged due to the movement of the head. If these crystals enter into the semicircular canals, it can cause increased sensitivity to all head movements. Due to this unusual response, the condition may result in vertigo. Most cases of BPPV clear out on their own after a few days.

• Trauma or injury: A head injury may cause trauma to the ear canal, resulting in the disintegration of the arrangement of ear canal. Consequent inflammation in the inner ear can cause a loss of balance. A head injury leading to vertigo may be the sign of a more serious underlying problem and should be discussed with a doctor as soon as possible.

• Meniere’s disease: This is a disease in which the small endolymphatic sac in the inner ear begins to malfunction. This condition may cause nausea, abnormal movements in the eye, pain in the ear, tinnitus, and recurrent vertigo. The ringing sound in the ear or tinnitus is usually the first symptom of Meniere’s disease.

• Chronic otitis media: A chronic infection in the middle ear can slowly spread to the inner ear, causing pain and severe vertigo. Unattended ear infections, which are ignored over a period of time, can finally turn into full blown inner ear infections and may eventually cause vertigo.

• Dehydration: Dehydration can sometimes cause temporary light headedness. In severe cases, it may also cause vertigo. When you are dehydrated, the symptoms of vertigo are manifested, especially when you are changing your positions. This vertigo is not related to an infection in the ear, but is caused due to the low blood pressure that is caused in dehydration.