Vertigo

It is one of the most common reasons people see a doctor, and it can have many different causes.

What causes it

A common cause is a disturbance in the balance organ of the inner ear, for example benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, where tiny calcium crystals in the balance organ shift out of place. Vertigo can also be caused by inner-ear inflammation, hearing-nerve problems, or causes unrelated to the ear.

When to see a doctor

It is worth getting checked if vertigo recurs, lasts longer than a few minutes, interferes with daily activities, or comes with other symptoms such as hearing loss, tinnitus, headache, or balance problems.

How the cause is found

Accurate diagnosis matters most. A doctor assesses how the symptoms present and runs balance and hearing tests to work out whether the cause sits in the ear or elsewhere. Treatment depends entirely on the underlying cause: sometimes specific exercises are enough, sometimes longer treatment is needed.