When most people think of vertigo, they think of its hallmark symptom: the sensation that the room is spinning or moving around them, leading to feelings of falling or general imbalance. But while the spinning sensation may be common, vertigo can cause other symptoms, too. Knowing what they are plays an important role in seeking treatment as early as possible.
The team at ENT Specialists wants to provide an overview of four possible signs of vertigo to help you identify the problem even when the spinning sensation isn’t present (or at least not as noticeable). Here’s what to look for.
If you regularly feel dizzy or unsteady, especially when walking in dim environments or on uneven surfaces, it could be more than just general clumsiness. Persistent or recurrent dizziness is also a symptom of vertigo, even though it may not feel exactly like the characteristic spinning sensation.
In more severe cases, persistent dizziness can make even simple, daily activities a lot more challenging and uncomfortable. While your inner ear may try to compensate for vertigo, at least partially, many people are still left with dizzy feelings when moving or even changing body position.
Stomach viruses, food poisoning, and pregnancy are all possible causes of nausea and vomiting. But if you’re feeling queasy without any of the “usual” culprits, vertigo could be to blame.
That’s because the balance system in your inner ear is closely linked to the part of the brain that controls nausea sensations. When that system is disrupted, it can trigger an upset stomach even when nothing else seems wrong. Vertigo-related nausea can strike at any time, but you might feel stronger sensations when moving rapidly, like standing up quickly or even changing your position in bed.
Vertigo involves your balance system (also known as your vestibular system) located in your inner ear, so it’s not surprising that it can also cause problems with your hearing. Many people with vertigo experience tinnitus or “ringing” in their ears. Buzzing or clicking sensations can also be associated with tinnitus.
Vertigo can also cause temporary partial hearing loss or a sensation of pressure or fullness in one ear. While some hearing issues can be associated with other causes, like ear infections or allergies, when they’re persistent or occur alongside nausea or balance issues, any type of hearing change should be evaluated by our team.
Because vertigo affects your balance, it’s not uncommon to feel dizzy when the environment around you is moving — particularly if those movements are rapid. For some people with vertigo, dizziness sensations can be triggered by something as simple as riding in a car or train. Other times, symptoms occur in very crowded or active environments.
Sometimes referred to as visual motion hypersensitivity, this symptom can also be associated with certain types of migraines or conditions that alter or damage parts of your balance system in your inner ear. While this type of hypersensitivity might not seem serious initially, it should be evaluated by our team to prevent further damage and additional problems with your quality of life.
Vertigo might not seem like a big deal, but it can be a sign of a more serious underlying problem, like an infection, nervous system issue, or even a tumor.
If you have any of these symptoms, don't ignore them. Request an appointment online or over the phone with the team at ENT Specialists in Salt Lake City, Murray, Draper, and Tooele, Utah, so you can be evaluated and treated as soon as possible.
