The difference between Vertigo and Dizziness

Vertigo and dizziness, are not a disease but a symptom.

The sensation of vertigo is spinning or whirling sensation that occurs resulting from a disturbance in balance or vestibular system. The feeling of lightheadedness, faintness, unsteadiness and dizziness can be described as Vertigo.

Subjective vertigo is the sensation of movement. Objective vertigo is the perception of the movement of surrounding objects.

Disorder of the vestibular system, the structures of the vestibular nerve, inner ear, cerebellum, and brainstem is referred as vertigo. The system responsible for combining sensory stimuli and movement as the body moves is the vestibular system. This system keeps objects in visual focus.

In your head there is a labyrinth. This is an apparatus in the inner ear made up of three semicircular canals that are surrounded by fluid. The labyrinth function is to transmit information of movement to the vestibular nerve which in turn carries information to the cerebellum and brainstem. This area of the brain controls motor coordination, posture and balance.

BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo) is the most common cause of dizziness.

Common causes can also include inflammation of the inner ear, neck joint disfunction, vestibular migraine, vestibular neuritis and acoustic neuroma. Rarely, serious neurological problems such as brain hemorrhage or stroke can be a symptom vertigo.

We urge you to seek the advice of your health professional.