MedCare360
Call
All Diseases

Vertigo

Last Updated: July 3, 2026

Key Points

  • Feeling like you or your surroundings are spinning
  • Often improves without specific treatment
  • Inner ear problems are common causes
  • Can last from seconds to months in severe cases

Overview

Vertigo is a sensation of spinning or whirling, making you feel off-balance. It's more intense than just feeling dizzy and can range from brief episodes to severe, long-lasting attacks. While often unsettling, many people find their vertigo improves without needing specific medical treatment. Most cases of vertigo are linked to problems within the inner ear, which plays a crucial role in balance. Conditions like Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), inner ear infections (labyrinthitis), or Ménière's disease are common culprits. Migraines and certain medications can also trigger vertigo. Management often involves self-care strategies to ease symptoms and reduce frequency, such as moving carefully and avoiding sudden head movements. For persistent or severe cases, a doctor may prescribe medication, recommend balance exercises, or refer you to a specialist to identify and treat the underlying cause.

Signs and Symptoms

  • Feeling like you or everything around you is spinning
  • Loss of balance
  • Nausea or feeling very sick
  • Severe headache
  • High temperature or chills

Things That Increase the Risk

  • Specific head movements (BPPV)
  • Inner ear infections (labyrinthitis)
  • Inflammation of the vestibular nerve
  • Ménière's disease
  • Migraine headaches
  • Certain medications as a side effect

Diagnosis

  • Doctor asks about your symptoms
  • Balance test involving quick position changes
  • Referral to a specialist for further evaluation

Treatment & Management

  • Often resolves without specific treatment
  • Antibiotics for infection-related causes
  • Balance correction exercises
  • Antihistamines to help with symptoms
  • Lying still in a quiet, dark room
  • Relaxation techniques to reduce anxiety

Prevention

  • Move your head carefully and slowly
  • Sit down immediately if you feel dizzy
  • Use lights if getting up at night
  • Get out of bed slowly, sit before standing
  • Sleep with head slightly raised on pillows
  • Squat instead of bending over to pick things up
  • Avoid stretching your neck upwards

Available Treatments

Explore our range of treatment options for Vertigo:

Vertigo Treatment

→
View treatment

Contents

Quick Info

Affects

Inner ear and balance system

Prevalence

Common, often temporary

Diagnosis

Symptom review, balance tests

Treatment

Self-care, exercises, medication

Medically Reviewed

Dr. Vijay Bhat

Dr. Vijay Bhat

Orthopedic Surgeon · Apollo Hospitals, Chennai

Reviewed on July 3, 2026

Need Professional Help?

Consult with our healthcare professionals to discuss your symptoms and treatment options.