Generally, dizziness and vertigo are used interchangeably to refer to a sense of imbalance. However, dizziness is an open-ended symptom that could be a result of multiple illnesses, such as hypertension, diabetes, heart conditions, hypotension, among others.

Vertigo, on the other hand, is an off-balance sensation that is mostly associated with inner ear problems. Vertigo is usually a symptom of problems involving the balance centers of the brain and the inner ear.

What Causes Vertigo?

Aside from a few cases of brain problems, head/neck injury, and migraines, vertigo is generally caused by complications of the inner ear. The most common include:

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)

The inner ear is responsible for sending information to the brain about the movement of the head and other parts of the body to maintain balance. BPPV hinders this process by blocking the canals of the inner ear with calcium particles.

There is no particular reason as to why BPPV occurs. However, it is mainly reported among the elderly.

Labyrinthitis

Labyrinthitis, also known as vestibular neuritis, causes vertigo and dizziness. The condition is associated with viral infections that lead to the inflammation of the inner ear. The inflammation usually interferes with the nerves that help the body to maintain balance.

Meniere’s Disease

This is a condition of the inner ear that is related to fluid buildup and pressure changes in the ear. The condition is often associated with the siren-like ringing in the ears (tinnitus) and hearing loss.