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 wonky — 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 vertigo vs. dizziness, it can be easy to get confused.

Dizziness is an altered sense of spatial orientation, a distortion of where you are within a space. Your balance just feels off, and you may also feel light-headed and woozy, 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 isn’t.

“Vertigo can be very debilitating,” states 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 a healthcare provider. It’s important to understand what’s triggering this reaction and/or to see if there’s a pattern.

Do you remember what you were doing at the time when your symptoms came on? Do you have other related symptoms like nausea or head pain? Was it brought on by 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 vertigo and dizziness

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

Possible dizziness causes may include:

• Anemia
• Cardiovascular reasons, like changes in your blood pressure
• Concussion
• Migraine headaches
• Anxiety and stress
• Dehydration
• Low blood sugar
• Certain medications
• Motion sickness

Possible vertigo causes may include:

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

Tips for preventing vertigo or dizziness

If you’ve been experiencing vertigo or feeling dizzy, 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 it’s best to talk to a 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,” recognizes Dr. Honaker. “That’s when we start to notice things going awry. For preventive measures, the best thing to do is maintain good health.”