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Types of Dizziness and Vertigo: What Causes Them

Dizziness has a wide range of possible causes -- here's general information to help make sense of the most commonly discussed types. This is educational content, not a medical diagnosis; if you're worried about your own symptoms, see a doctor, and seek immediate care if dizziness comes with slurred speech, limb weakness, or a severe headache.

Peripheral vertigo

Dizziness arising from a problem in the vestibular system inside the inner ear, which handles your sense of balance. It's commonly described as a spinning sensation -- as if the room itself is rotating -- and often worsens with specific changes in posture or head movement.

Central vertigo

Dizziness that may be linked to a problem in the central nervous system, such as the brainstem or cerebellum. If it's accompanied by other neurological symptoms beyond a balance problem -- slurred speech, visual disturbances, or limb weakness -- it's generally considered a signal that calls for prompt medical evaluation.

BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo)

A common form of peripheral vertigo caused by small calcium crystals (otoliths) in the inner ear dislodging and drifting into a semicircular canal. It's characterized by short, intense episodes of dizziness triggered by lying down, sitting up, or turning the head.

Meniere's disease

A condition thought to be related to pressure changes in the inner ear's fluid, typically involving recurring episodes of spinning vertigo along with tinnitus, a feeling of ear fullness, and changes in hearing. Diagnosis generally requires specialized hearing and vestibular function testing.

Vestibular neuritis

Inflammation of the vestibular nerve that can cause sudden, severe dizziness lasting a day or more. It's often linked to a viral infection, and it's commonly reported to cause dizziness without any accompanying hearing loss.

Orthostatic hypotension

A temporary drop in blood pressure when standing up quickly from lying or sitting, causing lightheadedness or a spinning sensation. Dehydration, certain medications, and prolonged standing are commonly cited triggers.

Psychogenic dizziness

Dizziness that can occur in connection with anxiety, hyperventilation, or stress, often described less as spinning and more as a floating sensation or mental fog. It's generally considered only after other causes have been ruled out.

Medication-related dizziness

Certain medications -- blood pressure medication, sedatives, and some antibiotics among them -- can also cause dizziness as a side effect. If you've recently started a new medication, it's worth checking with your doctor whether the timing lines up with when the dizziness began.

Track accompanying symptoms carefully

Dizziness can stem from an enormous range of causes -- inner-ear problems, blood pressure changes, medication side effects, and, rarely, neurological issues. Noting the circumstances when it occurs (a posture change, a specific movement), how long it lasts, and whether it comes with hearing changes or tinnitus can help a doctor narrow down the cause.

It's also worth checking your blood pressure

If dizziness related to blood pressure changes is suspected, understanding the basics of high blood pressure is worth a look as well. Keeping a regular record of your blood pressure can help you and your doctor see whether it correlates with your dizziness.

Frequently Asked Questions

What symptoms alongside dizziness should be treated as an emergency?

Sudden slurred speech, weakness in the face or limbs, a severe headache, or visual disturbances occurring together with dizziness can't rule out a central nervous system problem, so it's safest to seek emergency care immediately.

Does BPPV usually get better on its own?

It's known to sometimes improve without treatment, but a specific repositioning maneuver performed by a doctor often resolves the dizziness considerably faster, so seeing a specialist is generally the recommended course.