- Content version
- 1.0
- Last scientific review
- مايو 2026
What's the difference between dizziness and vertigo?
Vertigo is the sensation that you or your surroundings are spinning. It's often caused by the inner ear, which is responsible for balance.
Dizziness is a broader term, and may mean feeling unsteady, lightheaded, or about to faint — and has many causes outside the ear.
Causes from the ear
- Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV): brief episodes lasting less than a minute with head position changes — the most common cause.
- Vestibular neuritis: severe, continuous vertigo lasting days, often after a cold.
- Ménière's disease: episodes of vertigo lasting hours, with tinnitus, hearing loss, and ear fullness.
- Vestibular migraine: vertigo episodes linked to migraine.
Causes outside the ear
- Low blood pressure or low blood sugar
- Dehydration, especially in hot weather and during fasting
- Anemia
- Heart problems and irregular heartbeat
- Side effects of certain medications
- Anxiety and panic attacks
- Brain conditions, such as stroke — less common but the most serious
How is it diagnosed?
The most important step is describing your symptoms precisely. Consider these questions before your doctor's visit:
- What exactly do you feel: spinning, unsteadiness, or near-fainting?
- How long does the episode last: seconds, minutes, hours, or days?
- What triggers it: changing position, standing up, or nothing specific?
- Is it accompanied by hearing loss, tinnitus, or headache?
The doctor then examines eye movements and balance, and may perform head maneuvers to diagnose positional vertigo. A hearing test or balance tests may be requested. Most cases don't need imaging.
How is it treated?
Treatment depends on the cause:
- Positional vertigo: treated with simple maneuvers performed by the doctor to restore balance, usually without medication.
- Vestibular neuritis: medications to reduce vertigo and vomiting for a few days, followed by balance exercises.
- Ménière's disease: reduced salt intake, medications, and other treatments depending on the case.
- Causes outside the ear: treating the underlying cause, such as adjusting medications or treating anemia.
Anti-dizziness medications
Useful for a few days during acute episodes, but long-term use may delay balance recovery and increase drowsiness and fall risk.
What should I do during an episode?
- Sit or lie down immediately in a safe place.
- Fix your gaze on a stationary point.
- Don't drive or climb to a high place.
- Drink water if you suspect dehydration.
Tips to prevent falls
- Get up slowly from bed.
- Use night lighting in hallways and bathrooms.
- Remove slippery rugs and obstacles from the floor.
- Keep moving and walking — it helps the brain compensate.
Call 997 or go to the emergency room immediately if dizziness is accompanied by:
- Weakness or numbness in the face, arm, or leg
- Difficulty speaking or a drooping mouth
- Double vision or vision loss
- Inability to walk or stand
- A sudden, severe headache
- Chest pain, severe palpitations, or fainting
- Dizziness after a head injury
When should I see a doctor?
- If vertigo episodes recur.
- If accompanied by hearing loss or tinnitus.
- If it affects your work or driving.
- If you fall or nearly fall, especially in older adults.
Remember
- Most vertigo comes from the ear, is not dangerous, and is treatable.
- Describing symptoms accurately helps the doctor diagnose.
- Dizziness with weakness or speech difficulty is an emergency: call 997.
This information is for health awareness and education, and does not replace a doctor's consultation or direct medical assessment.
Prepared by: Saudi Society of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery · Version 1.0 · Last reviewed: May 2026 · saudiorl.com
