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At Healthfully, we strive to deliver objective content that is accurate and up-to-date. Our team periodically reviews articles in order to ensure content quality. The sources cited below consist of evidence from peer-reviewed journals, prominent medical organizations, academic associations, and government data.
- MayoClinic.com: Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo
- National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders: Meniere's Disease
- MedlinePlus: Acoustic Neuroma
The information contained on this site is for informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of a professional health care provider. Please check with the appropriate physician regarding health questions and concerns. Although we strive to deliver accurate and up-to-date information, no guarantee to that effect is made.
What Are the Causes of Lightheadedness, Dizziness & Room Spinning?
Lightheadedness and dizziness accompanied by a sensation that the room is spinning, called vertigo, has many causes. Dizziness alone does not constitute vertigo--by definition, the dizziness and/or lightheadedness must be accompanied by the spinning or movement sensation. The symptoms of vertigo range from annoying to crippling and are experienced by some as a temporary condition but is permanent in others. The most common cause is a disturbance in the vestibular system, which consists of the inner ear, vestibular nerve and the brain.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo
One of the most common causes of vertigo, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, or BPPV, occurs most often in people over age 60, the Mayo Clinic states 1. Changing position or turning the head a certain way triggers intense but brief episodes of dizziness, lightheadedness and vertigo that usually last less than a minute. Nausea, loss of balance, blurred vision and vomiting may also occur. Around 50 percent of the time, no cause is known, but head injury or damage to the inner ear can cause BPPV. Treatment consists of canalith repositioning, which moves particles in the inner ear by slowly changing head positions under a physician’s direction. Surgery to block off the offending part of the inner ear decreases BPPV in 90 percent of cases in which canalith repositioning fails, according to the Mayo Clinic.
- One of the most common causes of vertigo, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, or BPPV, occurs most often in people over age 60, the Mayo Clinic states 1.
- Around 50 percent of the time, no cause is known, but head injury or damage to the inner ear can cause BPPV.
Acoustic Neuroma
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Rarely, acoustic neuroma also causes one eye to dilate, facial drooping and drooling 3. Surgical removal of acoustic neuromas can lead to hearing loss and nerve damage, MedlinePlus warns 3.
Meniere's Disease
Meniere’s disease can cause hearing loss or a roaring sound in addition to vertigo and dizziness. Problems with fluid levels in the labyrinth, part of the inner ear, cause Meniere’s disease. Around 615,000 people in the U.S. have Meniere’s disease, the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communicable Disorders states. Meniere’s disease can’t be cured but symptoms may be improved by reducing fluid retention, stopping smoking and cutting down on alcohol use and taking allergy medications.
- Meniere’s disease can cause hearing loss or a roaring sound in addition to vertigo and dizziness.
- Meniere’s disease can’t be cured but symptoms may be improved by reducing fluid retention, stopping smoking and cutting down on alcohol use and taking allergy medications.
Labyrinthitis
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Bacterial or viral infections or trauma can cause labyrinthitis, which usually improves within several weeks without treatment. Bacterial infections respond to antibiotics; medications to decrease nausea may also help, the Merck Manual states.
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References
- MayoClinic.com: Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo
- University of Caifornia Irvine Otolaryngology: Vertigo
- MedlinePlus: Acoustic Neuroma
- U.S. National Library of Medicine, MedlinePlus. Vertigo-associated disorders. Updated November 22, 2017.
- Chimirri S, Aiello R, Mazzitello C, et al. Vertigo/dizziness as a drugs' adverse reaction. J Pharmacol Pharmacother. 2013;4(Suppl 1):S104–S109. doi:10.4103/0976-500X.120969
- Hussain K, Murdin L, Schilder AG. Restriction of salt, caffeine and alcohol intake for the treatment of Ménière's disease or syndrome. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018;12:CD012173. doi:002/14651858.CD012173.pub2
- Cleveland Clinic. Canalith Repositioning Procedure (CRP). Updated October 22, 2018.
- Harvard Health Publishing. Meniere's disease. Updated April 2019.
- Cleveland Clinic. Vestibular rehabilitation. Updated May 4, 2018.
- Canalith Repositioning Procedure - for Treatment of BPPV. Vestibular Disorders Association website.
- Meniere's Disease. Merck website.
- Possible Symptoms of Vestibular Disorders. Vestibular Disorders Association.
- Muncie, HL, Sirmans, SM & James, E. (2017). Dizziness: Approach to Evaluation and Management. Am Fam Physician. 95(3):154-162.
Writer Bio
A registered nurse with more than 25 years of experience in oncology, labor/delivery, neonatal intensive care, infertility and ophthalmology, Sharon Perkins has also coauthored and edited numerous health books for the Wiley "Dummies" series. Perkins also has extensive experience working in home health with medically fragile pediatric patients.