WebMD explains the causes, symptoms, and treatment of vertigo, a sensation of spinning that is related to problems with the inner ear. Vertigo is the feeling of spinning, even when you’re not moving. Causes include issues with your inner ear (like BPPV) or your brain (like migraines or stroke).

Understanding the Context

Vertigo is the feeling that you’re moving when you’re not. Learn about the causes, symptoms, and treatment here. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, also called BPPV, is one of the most common causes of vertigo. Vertigo is the sudden feeling of spinning or moving.

Key Insights

BPPV causes brief periods of mild to intense dizziness. Certain changes in the head's position most often set them off. Vertigo is a condition in which you experience spinning sensations, often accompanied by nausea and the loss of balance. Peripheral vertigo is common and mainly involves the inner ear, while central vertigo involves the brain. The most common disorders that result in vertigo are benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), Ménière's disease, and vestibular neuritis.

Final Thoughts

[1][2] Less common causes include stroke, brain tumors, brain injury, multiple sclerosis, migraines, trauma, and uneven pressures between the middle ears. [2][4][5] Physiologic vertigo may occur ... These disturbing, often frightening sensations that make it feel like the environment is rotating or tilting around you are hallmark signs of vertigo. A doctor needs to confirm, but fortunately, vertigo is typically very manageable with the correct treatment. According to research at Northwestern University, vertigo and dizziness account for about one in 30 emergency-room visits, and the average patient is just over 50 years old.