When vertigo spins out of control

As kids, spinning games that left us dizzy and tumbling onto the ground were thrilling. The feeling of losing control as the world whizzed around you was fun.

As adults, however, feelings of dizziness or vertigo are not so enjoyable. Losing our equilibrium without warning is a sign that something is not quite right.

Mostly, the problem stems from an imbalance in the inner ear. Unlike fainting, vertigo will not lead to a blackout.

But the feeling that you are about to pass out is similar to an episode of vertigo. Known medically as syncope, the onset of fainting is caused by too little oxygen reaching the brain because of a sudden fall in blood pressure.

Read: Common causes of dizzyness

Vertigo, on the other hand, is caused by a problem deep inside your ear that disrupts your ability to stay balanced on your feet. The dizziness is usually accompanied by ringing in the ears, nausea, sweating and sometimes a headache.

According to government site healthdirect.gov.au, the most common cause of vertigo is “benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)”.

“BPPV occurs when tiny calcium particles clump together in the part of the inner ear that helps control our balance, affecting the messages sent from your inner ear to your brain.

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“Other causes of vertigo include head injuries, stroke, circulation problems, infections, inner ear disorders, and the degeneration of inner ear structures.”

Inner ear problems can arise from:

• • Meniere’s disease: Abnormal build-up of fluid in the inner ear, affecting the cells responsible for balance and hearing

• • Vestibular neuritis: Welling or infection of the nerve supplying a bone in the inner ear

• • Labyrinthitis: Swelling or infection of the inner ear.

For guidance on when to seek medical attention for feelings of vertigo, visit healthdirect’s symptom checker.

Have you ever experienced vertigo severe enough to interfere with your day-to-day living? What caused it and what treatment did you receive? Do you have any tips on how to cope with dizziness?