Approximately 15–20% of adults experience dizziness each year, and around 5% experience vertigo. These two conditions, although incredibly similar, differ in critical ways, particularly in their causes and treatment. Because of this, it’s essential to understand the difference between dizziness and vertigo to ensure that you and your care team are aware of what you’re dealing with.
The Vestibular System
First, let’s review our balance system, also known as the vestibular system. On each side of your head, in your inner ear, there are the organs of balance. On each side, you have three semicircular canals and two otolith organs.
The looping semicircular canals are filled with fluid. When you turn or tilt your head, the fluid in these canals moves through the canals in response. The fluid flows through sensory hair-like cells, which bend and ripple, like plants on the sea floor. By rippling, the sensory cells read which way your head is tilted and send that information to the brain, which processes that information and builds your sense of spatial awareness and bodily orientation.
The two otolith organs work similarly, but instead of reacting to your head movements, they detect your movement relative to gravity, and instead of being filled with fluid, they’re filled with a gel-like substance. This substance is filled with calcium crystals called “otoconia,” which move and shift in the gel when you’re in motion. These crystals brush against the sensory hair-like cells, which then send movement information to the brain.
Dizziness vs. Vertigo
Some people use the words “dizziness” and “vertigo” interchangeably, but they are not the same. Dizziness is an umbrella term used to describe many balance-related sensations. Vertigo is a more specific medical condition.
What It Feels Like
The quickest way to tell dizziness and vertigo apart is by the sensation you feel. If you feel woozy, lightheaded, weakened or faint, it’s likely dizziness. It’s not being quite sure where you’re oriented in space; your balance feels “off.” Dizzy spells usually wear off quickly or settle once you sit or lie down.
Vertigo, on the other hand, is characterized by feeling like your body or the room is spinning. There’s less of a sense of lightheadedness with vertigo cases; instead, you may feel your feet planted firmly on the ground, but it feels like you’re on the teacup ride at Disneyland. You may experience nausea, vomiting or rapid eye movement when going through a vertigo spell.
Causes
In cases of both dizziness and vertigo, your brain is receiving incomplete, inaccurate or scrambled information from the body regarding your balance and spatial orientation. In cases of dizziness, this scrambled information can come from anywhere: the eyes, ears, cardiovascular system and muscles, for example. Some specific things that can cause dizziness are:
- Standing up too quickly
- Dehydration
- Low blood sugar or blood sugar changes
- High blood pressure or changes to your blood pressure
- Anxiety
- Stress
- Motion sickness
- Migraines
- Concussion or head trauma
- Side effects of some medications
Vertigo will be caused by a disorder or dysfunction within the vestibular system in the inner ear. Some of these include:
- Inner ear infection
- Labyrinthitis
- Vestibular migraine
- Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)
- Multiple sclerosis
- Ménière’s disease
- Stroke
When to See a Doctor About Dizziness or Vertigo
While dizzy spells can sometimes be benign, they may also be a symptom of a more serious medical condition. Vertigo, too, often indicates an inner ear disorder of some kind. That’s why we recommend seeking help from a balance specialist if your dizzy spells or moments of vertigo become too frequent or severe. Feeling off-balance can significantly increase fall risk and decrease personal safety. Contact South Valley Ear Nose & Throat – West Jordan today and schedule a balance test with one of our expert team members.