Vertigo vs. Dizziness: How To Tell Them Apart

If you’ve ever had a case of the spins then you’ve probably wondered about vertigo.

The trouble is, there are many variations to your equilibrium feeling wonk — vertigo, dizziness, unsteadiness, off-balance. It can be hard to recognize if you’re just feeling dizzy or if you’re experiencing true vertigo.

“It used to be that dizziness was the umbrella term, and vertigo fit underneath it,” explains audiologist Julie Honaker, PhD. “But now we’re finding that dizziness is very separate from vertigo.”

Our balance system is our sixth sense and sometimes we don’t fully appreciate it until something goes wrong with it. Dr. Honaker discusses vertigo vs. dizziness and why it’s important to talk to a healthcare provider about your symptoms.

What is the difference between vertigo and dizziness?

When it comes to dizziness vs. vertigo, it can be easy to get confused.

Dizziness is an altered sense of spatial orientation, a distortion of where we’re within a space and your balance just feels off. You may feel light-headed, woozy and like you might fall if you don’t sit down.

Vertigo, on the other hand, is truly the sensation of self-movement or the movement of your surroundings — it’s a spinning sensation. The atmosphere around you may feel like it’s moving or spinning, when it’s not.

“Vertigo can be very debilitating,” says Dr. Honaker. “It can bring on other symptoms of imbalance too. I think the scariest thing is the fact that it comes on so abruptly. Even though it’s very short, it’s a very, very strong response.”

How do I know if I have vertigo or dizziness?

If you’ve been experiencing balance issues of any kind, you should first and foremost check in with your doctor. It’s important to understand what’s triggering this reaction or to see if there’s a pattern.

Do you remember what you were doing at the time when your vertigo came on? Do you have other related symptoms like nausea or head pain? Was it brought on from a change in position?

“If we can start to identify these types of things with your vertigo, it will help us properly diagnose you and get you on the correct management path,” Dr. Honaker says. “You can even start by seeing your primary care doctor first.”

Sometimes there are very common reasons for experiencing dizziness and vertigo and they can be easily addressed and managed through therapy and medication.

Causes of dizziness and vertigo

Your balance system is complex. There can be numerous reasons why something is throwing it off.

Possible dizziness causes may include:

• Inner ear disorders
• Anemia
• Cardiovascular reasons such as changes in your blood pressure
• Concussion
• Migraine headaches
• Anxiety and stress
• Dehydration
• Low blood sugar
• Certain medications
• Motion sickness

Possible vertigo causes may include:

• Migraine headaches
• Stroke
• Arrhythmia
• Diabetes
• Head injuries
• Low blood pressure
• Certain medications

Tips for preventing dizziness or vertigo

If you’ve been feeling dizzy or experiencing vertigo, in addition to talking to your healthcare provider, one of the best things you can do for your balance system is to take care of yourself. This includes:

• Staying active
• Eating well
• Staying hydrated
• Managing stress
• Seeing a healthcare provider annually

“You want to make sure your body is working in its prime, which can ward off symptoms of dizziness and vertigo,” stresses Dr. Honaker.

Final thoughts

Whether you’re feeling lightheaded or feel like the room is spinning, it can be easy to confuse feeling dizzy vs. vertigo. And while you may dismiss these symptoms, Dr. Honaker says its best to talk to your doctor as both dizziness and vertigo can be signs of a medical condition.

So, make sure you pay attention to how you’re feeling and note any changes in your balance and if they happen frequently.

“We don’t start to appreciate balance system decline until we notice changes, like symptoms of vertigo or problems with our ability to walk or not feeling as steady as we used to,” says Dr. Honaker. “That’s when we start to notice things going awry. For preventative measures, the best thing to do is maintain good health.”