“Dizziness” and “vertigo” are words people often use interchangeably. But while they are related, vertigo and dizziness are not the same thing.
As a physical therapist who works with patients experiencing vestibular and balance problems, I often hear people describe their symptoms simply as “dizziness.” Understanding exactly what you are feeling can provide important clues about what may be causing it and what type of treatment may help.
Vertigo is a specific type of dizziness that creates the sensation of movement when no actual movement is occurring.
Someone experiencing vertigo may feel like:
Dizziness is a much broader term. It can describe a variety of sensations, including:
So, while vertigo is a type of dizziness, not all dizziness is vertigo.
Vertigo can have many different causes, but some involve the vestibular system, which helps your brain understand movement and your body's position in space.
Some common causes include:
BPPV, or benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, is a common cause of positional vertigo.
Inside the inner ear are tiny calcium-carbonate crystals called otoconia. When these crystals become displaced and move into one of the semicircular canals, certain head movements can trigger brief episodes of vertigo.
People with BPPV may feel spinning when they:
Vestibular migraine can cause vertigo, dizziness, motion sensitivity, visual sensitivity and imbalance.
One important thing to know is that vestibular migraine can occur with or without a headache.
These conditions can affect the vestibular system and cause significant dizziness, vertigo and balance problems. Recovery can take weeks to months.
Ménière’s disease is an inner-ear condition that can cause episodes of vertigo along with symptoms such as hearing changes and ringing in the ear.
A concussion can affect the vestibular and visual systems and cause dizziness or vertigo. It can also trigger BPPV by dislodging the crystals in the inner ear.
Because dizziness is such a broad term, it can have many causes that don't involve the sensation of spinning.
For example, dizziness may be related to:
This is why simply saying “I feel dizzy” doesn't always tell us what is happening.
When evaluating a patient, I want to know what the dizziness actually feels like, what brings it on, how long it lasts and what other symptoms occur with it.
The distinction can help healthcare providers determine what may be causing your symptoms and what type of treatment may be appropriate.
For example, someone who experiences a brief spinning sensation every time they roll over in bed may have BPPV and could benefit from a positional repositioning maneuver.
Someone who feels lightheaded when standing up may have a completely different underlying issue.
And someone who experiences dizziness after a concussion may have vestibular, visual, cervical, migraine or autonomic factors contributing to their symptoms.
The symptom itself is only part of the picture. The pattern of the symptoms matters, too.
Anxiety can contribute to or worsen dizziness, but that does not mean the symptoms are imaginary or “all in your head.”
Anxiety and heightened attention to physical sensations can influence how the brain processes balance and spatial information. In some people, this can contribute to persistent dizziness, including a condition called persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD).
People with PPPD may experience persistent dizziness, unsteadiness or non-spinning vertigo that becomes worse with upright posture, movement or visually complex environments.
New, severe, unexplained or persistent dizziness or vertigo should be medically evaluated.
It's especially important to seek immediate medical attention if dizziness or vertigo occurs with sudden neurological symptoms, including:
These symptoms can indicate a serious medical condition and should not automatically be attributed to an inner-ear problem.
Yes. Vestibular physical therapy can help people with many causes of dizziness and vertigo.
Treatment depends on the underlying cause and may include:
A vestibular physical therapist can evaluate your symptoms and determine whether vestibular rehabilitation may be appropriate.
A detailed description can be very helpful.
Instead of simply saying “I feel dizzy,” try to describe:
Is the room spinning? Do you feel lightheaded? Are you unsteady?
When does it happen?
Does it happen when you roll over in bed, stand up, walk or move your head?
How long does it last?
Does it last a few seconds, several minutes, hours or most of the day?
What makes it better or worse?
Does sitting down help? Does movement make it worse?
What other symptoms occur?
Do you experience nausea, headache, hearing changes, ringing in the ears, visual sensitivity or balance problems?
These details can help your healthcare provider better understand the pattern of your symptoms.
If dizziness or vertigo is interfering with your daily life, a vestibular physical therapy evaluation may help determine what is contributing to your symptoms and whether rehabilitation can help you move with greater confidence.
Not necessarily. Vertigo and dizziness describe different sensations, and the severity of either can vary from person to person.
Yes. Dizziness can mean lightheadedness, imbalance, disorientation or feeling “off” without any sensation of spinning or movement.
Vertigo is generally considered a type of dizziness, so the two terms overlap. However, someone may specifically describe their experience as spinning or movement rather than using the broader term “dizziness.”
BPPV is a common cause of vertigo, particularly vertigo triggered by changes in head position.
Yes. Vestibular physical therapy can help address many causes of dizziness and vertigo through individualized exercises, balance training and, when appropriate, positional repositioning maneuvers.
New, sudden or severe dizziness—particularly when accompanied by symptoms such as new weakness, numbness, difficulty speaking, difficulty swallowing or double vision—requires prompt medical evaluation.
Want to speak to an expert about treatment for vertigo? Contact us at (203) 284-2888 or fill out an appointment request form on our outpatient neurological rehabilitation page.
This content is for educational purposes only and is meant to provide general information. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns about your health. In case of a medical emergency, contact your doctor or call 911 right away.