Vertigo vs. Dizziness: How Can I Tell the Difference?
Vertigo is a common symptom (not a condition) that creates a sensation of movement. People feel that they are spinning or moving, or the space around them is. In some cases, this symptom is barely noticeable. However, its severity can increase to a point where it becomes difficult for the person to maintain their balance or perform routine tasks.
Dizziness is a sensation that makes people feel faint, weak, woozy, or unsteady. Dizziness often creates a spinning sensation, which makes it similar to vertigo.
If you’re not sure what you’re experiencing, let us walk you through the symptoms of each and how to tell them apart.
1. Analyze the Sensation
The best way to tell the difference between vertigo and dizziness is by analyzing the sensation. If you feel like you’re spinning without feeling lightheaded, unsteady, or foggy, you have vertigo. If you feel unsteady and faint, you’re dizzy.
Yes, dizziness sometimes causes a feeling of spinning. However, it’s to a lesser degree and accompanied by other symptoms. If the spinning sensation outweighs other symptoms, you have vertigo. And if other symptoms are more pronounced than the spinning sensation, you’re experiencing dizziness.
Use this as a general rule of thumb, but if your symptoms persist and you’re unsure of their cause, see your doctor.
2. What Are the Causes?
Vertigo affects the vestibular system (located in the inner ear). This system provides the brain with critical information about your positioning and movement. Common causes of vertigo include benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), Meniere’s disease, labyrinthitis, vestibular neuritis, vestibular migraines, cerebellar strokes, tumors, multiple sclerosis, head injuries, and certain types of medications.
Dizziness, on the other hand, is caused by heat exhaustion, low blood sugar, anxiety, head injuries, motion sickness, low blood pressure, alcohol consumption, and carbon monoxide poisoning. If you’re experiencing dizziness, think about your diet to see whether maybe something you’ve eaten or have not eaten is causing your symptoms. If you have a relatively healthy diet, have your home’s HVAC checked for carbon monoxide, which is odorless. If you’ve ruled out all these things, see your doctor to get tested.
3. What Should I Do First?
Houston Physicians’ Hospital provides vestibular rehabilitation therapy through physical therapy for patients who have developed vertigo or dizziness. Visit our neuroscience webpage to learn more and scroll to the bottom of the page to find a neurosurgeon who’s right for you.
If you’ve already been diagnosed, you can make an appointment with one of our three physical therapy locations offering VRT: HPH Main Campus location, the Neuroscience Rehabilitation Clinic which is in our Aquatic Care Houston location, and our Bellaire Physical Therapy location.
As one of the leading specialty hospitals in Webster, Texas, Houston Physicians’ Hospital provides Knee Pain Treatment Houston, spine solutions, back pain treatments Webster TX, hip arthritis treatment, and other surgical and nonsurgical treatments. The 87,400-square-foot hospital has 25+ specialty areas, 200+ practicing physicians, and 14 physical therapy locations.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact the hospital.
