The Difference Between Dizziness and Vertigo
We've all had the sensation of being dizzy - as if you can't focus, can't see straight, can't stand upright without swaying or falling. You may even experience "tunnel vision," where your peripheral vision goes dark for a few seconds.
Dizziness is common and can have many causes. Vertigo, however, is a little different. While dizziness is typically synonymous with "lightheadedness," which creates the illusion of being unsteady, vertigo is typically a response to a physiological factor that is causing a quite literal imbalance in your body. Those experiencing vertigo have reported feeling as if they are "rocking" or "spinning," even when they are sitting still.
Dizziness: Causes and Symptoms
Just a few of the many factors that can lead to dizziness include lack of sleep, poor nutrition, overexertion, or a physical ailment, such as a head cold or the flu. Dizziness can also occur from something as simple as standing up too quickly after an extended period of rest. Some accompanying symptoms to dizziness may include:
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Loss of balance Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special, or a unique service that you offer.
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Lightheadedness or heavy-headedness Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special, or a unique service that you offer.
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Momentarily impaired vision (i.e. tunnel vision) Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special, or a unique service that you offer.
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Feeling woozy or faint Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special, or a unique service that you offer.
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Vertigo: Causes and Symptoms
The causes of vertigo aren't nearly as many. In fact, vertigo is most commonly caused by an imbalance in the inner ear, also known as the "vestibular system." Your vestibular system helps you maintain your balance and center of gravity by sending messages to your brain regarding your movement. When this is impaired, the necessary messages become blocked from your brain, and your movement becomes affected. You may feel as if the world is spinning around you, you can't focus your vision for prolonged periods of time, or you can't stand/move properly without feeling like you are going to topple over. Some common causes of vertigo include:
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Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)List Item 1
This is the most common cause of vertigo. It occurs when the tiny calcium crystals located in your ears become displaced and move around to different parts of the ear, where they are not supposed to be. This can cause sudden spinning sensations (vertigo) and innerear discomfort.
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Meniere's diseaseList Item 2
This occurs when fluid builds up in your ear(s). This typically includes "ringing" in your ear and sudden waves of intense dizziness that mav last for hours. You may also exoerience momentarv hearing losses.
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Vestibular neuritisList Item 3
This is an inner-ear infection that can cause vertigo.
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MigrainesList Item 4
Migraines can impact your vestibular system, thus causing episodes of vertigo which may be coupled with a sensitivity to light or sound. Vision may also be impaired.
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Stroke
A stroke affects movement in your whole body. If you recently suffered a stroke, you may experience waves of vertigo which may linger for extended periods of time.
Additional symptoms of vertigo may also include:
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Inability to focus or remain alert Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special, or a unique service that you offer.
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Double vision Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special, or a unique service that you offer.
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Nausea or vomiting Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special, or a unique service that you offer.
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Arm or leg weakness Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special, or a unique service that you offer.
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Difficulty seeing or speaking Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special, or a unique service that you offer.
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Sweating Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special, or a unique service that you offer.
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Abnormal eye movements Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special, or a unique service that you offer.
Get back on your feet with physical therapy
Both dizziness and vertigo can hinder your daily life, limiting your ability to perform even the simplest of tasks. Luckily, no matter what the cause may be, physical therapy for dizziness and vertigo can help. ProTouch Physical Therapy is very successful at diagnosing and treating both dizziness and vertigo with vestibular rehabilitation.
Vestibular rehabilitation includes treatments such as the Epley maneuver. The Epley maneuver allows for canalith repositioning, in order to move the displaced calcium crystals to their correct location in patients experiencing BPPV. Vestibular exercises focus on decreasing nerve sensitivity and reducing the effects of vertigo.
Recovery from vertigo is only offered at select practices -
Pro Touch Physical Therapy being one of them. Our advanced methods and diagnostic tools can provide you with the treatment you need for your dizziness or vertigo symptoms. If you are experiencing either of these conditions, contact us to
schedule an appointment today. We will help you get back on your feet as quickly as possible!
