When you suddenly feel unsteady, it can be both confusing and frightening. If you regularly experience dizzy spells, you are likely searching for a cause – and this may have led you to suspect vertigo. While dizziness and vertigo have overlapping properties and are often associated with ear health, audiologists and other ear specialists note some key differences.

Understanding Dizziness & Vertigo

Symptoms

If you are frequently experiencing sensations of dizziness or loss of balance, it’s crucial to see a doctor for specific diagnosis. They will go through your symptoms to determine whether you are affected by general dizziness or vertigo. In most cases, dizziness is associated with a lightheaded feeling. Patients may feel faint or off balance while standing. Vertigo is often more severe, involving a sensation or spinning or moving even when you are still. For example, you may lift your head when waking up and feel as if you are whirling, even though you are still in bed.

Causes

When patients frequently feel dizzy, there are several possible causes. This sensation can be caused by dehydration, medication, motion sickness, changes in blood pressure, and anxiety. Vertigo is often caused by inner ear conditions like benign paroxysmal positional vertigo — BPPV. This condition affects older adults in particular as well as those with conditions like diabetes, migraines, and infections. Audiologists and ear doctors will look into this condition and other inner ear issues as possible causes, recommending treatment to get symptoms under control.

Treatment

To effectively treat dizziness or vertigo, your doctor will need to get to the root cause. They will likely look at your medications and test for other conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. Your doctor will also consider additional symptoms such as those of anxiety as well as lifestyle factors. For patients experiencing vertigo, an audiologist may recommend vestibular rehabilitation — a type of physical therapy. They may also recommend medication to control symptoms like nausea.

Experiencing dizziness or vertigo? The team at County Hearing And Balance in Madison, CT, has the testing and treatment to help you find relief. Their team of audiologists has been practicing for decades, providing quality ear care, hearing evaluations, and hearing devices for their patients. From your consultation to treatment plan, you can expect personalized care. To view a full list of services, visit them online. You can also call (203) 245-1950 to make an appointment.