What Causes Vertigo and How You Can Get Relief

Vertigo is a condition that affects how your body keeps its balance. It can make you feel like the world is spinning, even when you’re standing still. Some people say it feels like floating, tilting, or falling, even though they’re not moving.

Vertigo is not the same as feeling dizzy. Dizziness might feel like you’re light-headed or about to faint. But with vertigo, you usually feel a strong sense of motion. It may seem like the room is turning or like your body is shifting in space.

Most vertigo starts in the inner ear. This part of your ear helps control balance. If it’s not working properly—because of fluid, an infection, or tiny crystals moving where they shouldn’t—your brain gets confused about your body’s position.

Certain movements can make vertigo worse. Turning your head quickly, standing up too fast, or riding in a car or boat can bring on the spinning feeling. Sometimes, the symptoms last just a few seconds, but other times they can go on for minutes.

Vertigo affects people in different ways. Some people only feel it once and then it goes away. Others might have it come and go, depending on what’s causing the problem and how their body responds.

Is It Vertigo or Something Else?

Vertigo and regular dizziness are not the same. Dizziness can feel like you’re going to faint or lose your balance. This might happen if you stand up too fast or haven’t eaten. Vertigo, however, feels more like motion. People say it feels like spinning, tilting, or being pulled to one side—even when they are standing still.

Movement can help you tell the difference. With vertigo, the spinning or unsteady feeling often gets worse when you turn your head, bend down, or lie flat. If the dizziness doesn’t change much when you move, it may not be vertigo.

You can try a simple check at home. Stand still and close your eyes. Ask someone to watch you. If your body starts to sway or you feel like you’re tipping—even when you’re not moving—this could be a sign of vertigo.

Vertigo can be hard to notice at first. Some people think they’re just tired, hungry, or stressed. Because the feeling can come and go, vertigo is sometimes confused with other problems. Many people don’t talk to a doctor until the spinning becomes hard to manage.

Paying attention to patterns can help. If you feel dizzy often—especially when you move your head—and the feeling includes spinning or floating, vertigo might be the reason.

What Can Cause Vertigo?

Vertigo can have many different causes. Sometimes, it happens once and goes away quickly. Other times, it’s linked to health conditions that may need more care.

Motion is one common cause of vertigo. Riding in a car, on a boat, or flying in a plane can confuse your inner ear. Your body gets used to the movement, and once it stops, your brain may still feel like you’re moving. This is called motion sickness, and it can lead to vertigo in some people.

Stopping certain medications too quickly can also trigger vertigo. When people stop taking antidepressants or other drugs without a slow plan, it can change how the brain and inner ear work together. That change can lead to spinning or balance problems.

Most cases of vertigo begin in the inner ear. The inner ear helps control balance. If something inside it goes wrong—like a build-up of fluid, an infection, or tiny crystals moving out of place—your brain may get mixed messages about where your body is.

Not everyone gets vertigo for the same reason. Some people have one short episode, while others have it more often because of lasting ear problems or reactions to medicine. A doctor can help figure out what’s causing it by looking at your symptoms and health history.

How Does Vertigo Make You Feel?

Vertigo can change how your body feels and how you sense the space around you. The most common feeling is spinning. It may seem like the room is moving in circles or like your body is turning, even when you’re standing still.

Some people feel like they’re being pulled sideways or about to fall. This may cause them to grab onto something, even if nothing is pushing them. Feeling off-balance can make it hard to walk or stand.

Vertigo can also make you feel sick to your stomach. When your brain gets mixed-up messages about motion, your stomach can react. This can cause nausea or even vomiting, especially if the spinning is strong.

Moving your head can make the symptoms worse. Looking up, bending over, or turning quickly may trigger the spinning feeling. Some people feel better if they lie down and stay still, while others need more time to feel normal again.

Vertigo is not the same for everyone. For some, it’s mild and doesn’t last long. For others, it can be strong enough to affect daily activities. How it feels often depends on the cause and how your body handles the balance problem.

What Should You Do If You Have Vertigo?

If you think you have vertigo, the first step is finding out what’s causing it. Feeling dizzy or off-balance often—especially if it doesn’t go away—means it’s a good idea to talk to a doctor. They might ask you questions, check how you move, and look inside your ears to learn more.

The way vertigo is treated depends on the cause. Some people have vertigo because of problems in the inner ear. Others may feel symptoms after stopping certain medicines. Since every person is different, the treatment plan will also be different.

There are several ways to manage vertigo. One option is balance therapy, also called vestibular rehabilitation. This includes special exercises that help your brain and body work together to improve balance and movement.

Sometimes, doctors recommend vertigo medications. These can help reduce the spinning feeling, ease nausea, or calm the signals coming from the inner ear. Not everyone needs medicine, but it may help if symptoms are strong or last a long time.

Keeping a record of your symptoms can also help. Write down when vertigo happens, how long it lasts, and what you were doing before it started. Sharing this with your doctor can make it easier to find a treatment that works for you.

Can Vertigo Go Away On Its Own?

Vertigo doesn’t always last a long time. In many cases, the spinning feeling goes away on its own after a few days or weeks. This usually happens when the cause is something small, like motion sickness or a mild problem in the inner ear.

Some people have vertigo that comes and goes. These episodes can last for a few minutes and then stop. They might return later without warning. Vertigo that shows up off and on may be caused by head movement, stress, or other triggers.

For some, vertigo can last much longer. If the inner ear is damaged, or if the brain keeps getting mixed signals about balance, the spinning or falling feeling may come back often. This is called chronic or recurring vertigo.

How long vertigo lasts depends on the cause. A short-term issue may get better quickly. But if the vertigo is part of a bigger health problem—like an inner ear disorder or a nervous system condition—it may take longer to control.

Even after the spinning stops, some people still feel unsteady. This off-balance feeling usually fades with rest, light activity, or treatment. Some may need therapy or medicine to help stop future episodes from happening again.

Tips for Managing Vertigo at Home

You can take simple steps at home to feel safer when living with vertigo. The spinning feeling might come and go, but learning how to manage it can help you stay comfortable and avoid getting hurt.

If you feel dizzy, focus on staying safe first. Sit down or lie flat as soon as the spinning starts. Try not to move until the feeling passes. Avoid walking without help—especially near stairs or sharp corners. Using a cane or holding on to walls or furniture can help you stay steady.

Small daily changes may reduce how often vertigo happens. Move your head slowly when turning, bending, or getting out of bed. Sleeping with extra pillows to keep your head raised may also help. Drinking plenty of water and cutting back on caffeine or alcohol might lower your chances of triggering symptoms.

Writing down your vertigo symptoms can help you and your doctor. Keep a diary with notes on when vertigo happens, what you were doing, and how long it lasted. Over time, you might see patterns that show what triggers it.

Light exercises and routines can also help with balance. Some people feel better when they do gentle stretches, slow breathing, or simple balance activities at home. A doctor or therapist can suggest safe movements that work best for your body.

When to Seek Medical Help

Vertigo is usually not dangerous, but sometimes it can point to a more serious problem. Knowing when to see a doctor can help you stay safe and get the care you need.

Watch for signs that need quick medical attention. If your vertigo starts suddenly and feels very strong—or happens with other symptoms—talk to a doctor right away. Warning signs include:

• Trouble speaking or slurred words
  
  
• Numbness or weakness in your face, arms, or legs
  
  
• Blurred or double vision
  
  
• Chest pain or a fast, pounding heartbeat
  
  
• Falling or trouble walking straight
  
  
• Hearing loss or ringing in one ear
  
  

These symptoms might mean there’s a problem outside the inner ear. Some may be linked to the brain or nervous system. Seeing a doctor early can help rule out serious conditions like a stroke or nerve damage.

Even if your symptoms are mild, a doctor can still help. You can ask questions like:

• What could be causing my vertigo?
  
  
• Do I need tests or scans?
  
  
• Are there treatments or exercises that can help?
  
  
• Should I try any medications?
  
  
• Could another health issue be making my vertigo worse?
  
  

Bring notes to your appointment. Write down when your vertigo started, how long it lasts, and what seems to make it better or worse. This helps your doctor understand what’s happening and how to treat it.

FAQs About Vertigo

Can kids get vertigo?

Yes, kids can have vertigo too. It might be harder for them to explain, but they may say the room is spinning or that they feel dizzy. Vertigo in children can be caused by inner ear infections, migraines, or quick head movements. If a child seems off balance or unsteady, it’s a good idea to check with a doctor.

Is vertigo the same as being afraid of heights?

No, vertigo and fear of heights are not the same thing. Fear of heights is called acrophobia. Vertigo is a balance problem that can make you feel like you’re spinning, even when you’re standing on flat ground. Still, some people feel dizzy when looking down from a high place, which can make the two seem alike.

What can stop the spinning feeling fast?

If vertigo starts suddenly, some people feel better by lying down and keeping their head still. Others feel more steady when sitting upright and looking at one spot. In some cases, doctors recommend special head movements—like the Epley maneuver—to help fix inner ear problems. If the spinning is strong or doesn’t stop, vertigo medications may be used to calm the dizziness and reduce nausea.