One of the most frequent health complaints for which adult patients seek medical attention is vertigo. More than simply a case of dizziness, vertigo is a feeling that you are moving while the environment is still or that the environment is moving while you are still.
Most cases of vertigo are due to benign pathology of the ear. Benign positional vertigo is the most common cause. The inner ear has tiny crystals that move as one changes position, allowing your brain to interpret your body's position and maintain one's balance. In BPV, these particles dislodge and move into the wrong part of the canals of the inner ear. This sends the brain confusing messages about the body's position and produces an episode of vertigo. This type of vertigo is associated with movement of the head. While this condition is unnerving and may reoccur unpredictably, it is not medically dangerous and usually improves with time. There are exercises that can reposition the dislodged crystals in the inner ear to help reduce the symptoms.


Another common cause of vertigo is labrynthitis, which often can follow a viral illness. This type of vertigo may worsen with motion but persists when your head is motionless. Symptoms may be improved with medications. You should see a doctor if you have any new episodes of vertigo associated with headaches and coordination problems. Also consult a physician if you have vertigo that persists for several days.