Vertigo

Vertigo is a specific type of dizziness, a major symptom of a balance disorder. It is the sensation of spinning or swaying while the body is actually stationary with respect to the surroundings.

There are two kinds of vertigo: subjective and objective. Subjective vertigo causes a person to feel like they are moving when they are not. With objective vertigo, the affected person's surroundings appear to move past their field of sight.

The effects of vertigo may be mild. The feeling of spinning or swaying may cause nausea and vomiting. In severe cases, however, the effects can make it difficult for a person to stand and walk.

Typically, vertigo is associated with a problem in the inner ear balance mechanisms, in the brain, or with the nerve connections between these two organs.

Sometimes an inner ear infection can bring on vertigo. The most common cause of vertigo however, is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, or BPPV. Vertigo can be a sign of more serious problems, like drug toxicities, strokes or tumors, and syphilis (though these are much less common than BPPV).

People with multiple sclerosis (MS) may also experience vertigo - they can feel off balance or lightheaded.

Incidents, including skull fractures or brain trauma, abrupt changes in blood pressure, the onset of motion sickness while sailing, riding amusement rides, airplanes, or motor vehicles can all bring on vertigo unexpectedly. Vertigo can also be caused by carbon monoxide poisoning. It is also one of the more common symptoms of superior canal dehiscence syndrome and Meniere's disease.