The following list highlights some of the more common causes of vertigo.
This is not a comprehensive list. People with persistent vertigo should speak with a doctor for a diagnosis.
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)BPPV is a common condition that occurs when crystals or debris collect in part of the inner ear. This results in temporary but frequent vertigo episodes. According to some reports, this can last a few minutes or less.
The vertigo may worsen with certain movements or when a person moves their head. For example, it may occur when a person bends down to pick something up.
Other symptoms may include:
nausea vomitingnystagmus, or repetitive involuntary eye movementsUnlike other inner ear conditions, BPPV does not affect hearing or cause tinnitus. Although it can be distressing and uncomfortable and may cause falls in some people, the condition itself is not serious.
BPPV can get better on its own in weeks or months. Some people he it for longer or find the symptoms come back after going away. Specific exercises that reposition the crystals inside the ear may help.
Learn more about BPPV.
Vestibular migraineSome people with migraine experience vertigo during migraine episodes. This is known as vestibular migraine, and the symptoms can include:
a headache, often on one side of the headsensitivity to light or soundnauseomitingAccording to the American Migraine Foundation, vestibular migraine is the second most common cause of vertigo in adults. Not everyone who has vestibular migraine experiences pain, though. Some people he vertigo and other symptoms with no headache.
There is no cure for vestibular migraine, but treatments are ailable.
Learn more about vestibular migraine.
Inner ear infectionsThe inner ear plays a vital role in a person’s sense of balance. Any disturbance or disruption to the inner ear can cause disorientation in the brain and body, resulting in vertigo.
An example of an inner ear problem is labyrinthitis, which usually occurs due to a virus. The symptoms of labyrinthitis include:
vertigodifficulty with balance, which may affect a person’s ability to stand still or walknausea or vomitinghearing losstinnitusLabyrinthitis can come on suddenly and may get worse during the day. Because it is often the result of an infection, it usually goes away on its own.
According to the National Health Service (NHS) in the United Kingdom, the symptoms typically start getting better in a few days, and people often recover within 2 to 6 weeks.
Learn more about inner ear infections.
Vestibular neuritisVestibular neuritis is another type of ear inflammation. It usually occurs due to a viral infection. It involves nerve inflammation in the inner ear, which sends messages to the brain.
The symptoms of vestibular neuritis are similar to those of labyrinthitis, but it does not cause tinnitus or hearing changes. The NHS indicates that the condition usually gets better on its own in several weeks, but sometimes people need treatment for longer-term balance problems.
Learn more about vestibular neuritis.
Head injuryAccording to a 2022 review, dizziness is the second most common symptom of a head injury after pain. It can be the result of a concussion or mild traumatic brain injury. When this symptom persists long after the injury, doctors call it post-concussive dizziness (PCD) or post-concussion syndrome (PCS).
PCD may involve various types of dizziness, including vertigo. The vertigo may be present all the time or only sometimes. Sometimes, it may be the only symptom of a concussion. Other symptoms can include:
headachefatigue nausea or vomitingtinnitusvision changesdifficulty concentratingirritabilitymemory loss, such as forgetting what happened around the time of the injuryAccording to the review, 85% to 90% of people who experience concussion get better in days or weeks of the head injury. Rest, mentally and physically, is the main recommendation immediately after the concussion.
If dizziness continues for more than 3 weeks, a person may need treatment.
Learn about head injuries.