Vertigo is a type of dizziness that causes someone to feel motion even though they are stationary at the time. This feeling is caused by an uneven dysfunction of the inner ear’s vestibular system. If vertigo is severe enough, it can be accompanied by vomiting and nausea. Vertigo is considered a type of balance disorder because if it is strong enough, patients can have difficulty standing or walking.
Vertigo and dizziness are two of the most common medical complaints, affecting 20 to 30 percent of the general population. Although they can occur in people of all ages, both have an increased presence as people age.
There are three types and two classifications of vertigo. They are based on the specific symptoms a patient experiences and the location of the vestibular dysfunction.
Types of Vertigo
- subjective - patient senses they are moving when they are not
- objective - patient senses objects around them are moving when they are not
- pseudovertigo - patient has intense sensation of rotation or “whirling” inside their head