Vertigo

Vertigo which is related to balance and equilibrium, is the severe form of dizziness. Vertigo is the feeling of being unsteady or woozy. It is a sensation of spinning or whirling motion making it difficult to maintain balance while standing or sitting. Vertigo and dizziness are not the same, even though they are often used interchangeably. While all vertigo is dizziness, not all dizziness is vertigo. It is most common in elderly people, but can affect both sexes at any age.


Vertigo occurs when there is a mismatch or difference in the information sent to the brain from the three sensory organs . Among the three sensory systems i.e the vestibular system (the inner ear structures), the visual system (the eyes), and the somatosensory system (which conveys information from the skin, joint, and muscle receptors), the former is most sensitive and often involved with vertigo.

Vertigo is not a disease but only a symptom of a broad range of disorders, diseases, and conditions. It usually occurs when there's a problem with the middle ear balance mechanisms, or with the brain, or with the nerve connections between the brain and the middle ear.