Vertigo Treatments

Vertigo is a sensation of irregular or whirling motion, either of oneself or of external objects.

The word is sometimes incorrectly used as a general term to describe dizziness. The most common form of vertigo is benign positional paroxysmal vertigo (BPPV), in which brief attacks are brought on by certain changes in head position. BPPV may be due to a previous head injury, viral infection, and certain drug therapies, although in about half the cases the cause is unknown. BPPV tends to resolve without treatment within weeks to months, but may persist for years in some cases.

People experiencing vertigo should have a complete medical evaluation to determine the cause. Common causes of non-BPPV vertigo include conditions in which there is decreased blood flow to certain areas of the brain, Ménière’s disease, and infection of the inner ear. Vertigo may also be a symptom of numerous other conditions, including sinusitis, panic attacks, migraine headaches, and problems with metabolism, such as hypothyroidism, high blood triglycerides, diabetes, and hypoglycemia.