Understanding the Difference Between Vertigo and Dizziness

If you’ve ever experienced a spinning sensation or felt like you were swaying, then you may have experienced either vertigo or dizziness. While both can be unpleasant, it’s important to understand the difference between the two in order to get the right diagnosis and treatment.

Vertigo is a type of dizziness that is caused by an inner ear disorder. It is characterized by a feeling of spinning or swaying, often accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Vertigo can be caused by an infection in the inner ear, head trauma, inflammation of the inner ear due to allergies or viruses, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), Meniere's disease, migraine headaches and other medical conditions.

Dizziness on the other hand is generally described as feeling faint or lightheadedness. It can be caused by low blood sugar levels, dehydration, medications such as antihistamines or antidepressants and even anxiety disorders. Dizziness can also be associated with anemia and other medical conditions such as heart disease.

The main difference between vertigo and dizziness lies in their causes; while one is related to an inner ear disorder (vertigo), the other has multiple causes including low blood sugar levels and medications (dizziness). In addition, symptoms associated with vertigo are usually more intense than those associated with dizziness; they include nausea and vomiting whereas dizziness usually just causes lightheadedness or faintness.

If you experience any type of spinning sensation or feel like you are swaying then it’s important to seek medical advice from your doctor so they can accurately diagnose your condition correctly before providing treatment accordingly.

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Tags:

Vertigo, Dizziness, Inner Ear Disorder, Nausea, Vomiting, Lightheadedness, Faintness, Low Blood Sugar Levels, Dehydration, Medications, Antihistamines, Antidepressants,

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