what causes vertigo
Last updated September 6, 2026.
Vertigo is most often caused by a problem in the inner ear, where shifted crystals, fluid changes, or inflammation send your brain false signals that you or the room is spinning. The pattern points to the cause: seconds of spinning when you roll over or look up fits benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, while days of constant spinning after a cold fits vestibular neuritis. Vertigo paired with hearing loss, ear ringing, or ear fullness suggests Meniere disease, and spinning with light sensitivity or headache suggests vestibular migraine. A smaller share of cases comes from the brain, including stroke, and those usually bring double vision, slurred speech, weakness, numbness, or trouble walking. Some medicines, including certain blood pressure drugs, sedatives, and high-dose aspirin, can add to the spinning feeling. Move slowly when you get up, keep hydrated, sleep with your head slightly raised, and sit or lie down as soon as an episode starts.
What to do
- Track the pattern: Note how long each episode lasts, what triggers it, and whether your hearing changes, since that is what points to the cause.
- Rule out the emergency: Call 911 for vertigo with slurred speech, face or limb weakness, numbness, double vision, severe headache, or inability to walk.
- Protect yourself from falls: Sit or lie down the moment spinning starts, and avoid driving or ladders until you know what is causing it.
- Review your medicines: Bring your full medication list to a visit, since blood pressure drugs, sedatives, and some antibiotics can trigger or worsen dizziness.
- Ask about repositioning: Positional vertigo often clears with the Epley maneuver done by a clinician or physical therapist rather than with daily medicine.
- See a clinician for repeats: Get evaluated if vertigo keeps coming back, lasts more than a few days, or comes with new hearing loss or ear ringing.
Related questions
- Can i see what my doctor wrote about me
- How do i find out what my insurance covers
- How long does vertigo last
- What age should i start mammograms