Vertigo and Dizziness: What Your Inner Ear Might Be Telling You

Vertigo is more than feeling lightheaded — it's the false sensation that you or the room is spinning or moving. It can be frightening, but it is often caused by a very treatable inner-ear problem.

Common causes of vertigo

• check_circleBPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo) — brief spinning triggered by head movements, caused by displaced inner-ear crystals.
• check_circleVestibular neuritis — sudden, severe vertigo after a viral infection.
• check_circleMénière's disease — vertigo with hearing changes, ringing, and a feeling of fullness in the ear.
• check_circleMigraine-related dizziness, and occasionally neck or blood-pressure issues.

BPPV — the most common cause

In BPPV, tiny crystals in the inner ear move out of place, so certain head movements — rolling over in bed, looking up, or bending down — trigger short bursts of intense spinning that last seconds. It sounds alarming, but it is one of the most treatable forms of vertigo.

What you can do during an attack

1. 1Sit or lie down safely until the spinning eases, to avoid a fall.
2. 2Move your head slowly and avoid sudden position changes.
3. 3Stay hydrated and rest in a calm, quiet space.
4. 4Note what triggers it — lying down, turning over, or looking up — as this helps the diagnosis.

How vertigo is diagnosed and treated

A focused balance assessment can usually pinpoint the cause, including simple positional tests that reproduce the vertigo briefly so it can be identified. Many people are surprised how quickly the right treatment helps:

• check_circleBPPV often responds within minutes to simple repositioning maneuvers (such as the Epley maneuver).
• check_circleVestibular rehabilitation exercises retrain the balance system over a few weeks.
• check_circleMedication and lifestyle measures help conditions like Ménière's disease.

This article is for general information and does not replace a medical consultation. For a diagnosis tailored to you, please book an appointment with our clinic in Nellore.