Vertigo Triggers: Understanding Conditions That Cause Dizziness

Vertigo is the sensation of being still while things spin around you. While its cause is sometimes unknown, health-care professionals have identified certain conditions that can trigger vertigo.

BPPV

• Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is triggered by calcium crystals floating into the semicircular canals in your inner ears.

Meniere's Disease

• Meniere's disease is another inner-ear condition whose primary symptoms are nausea and vertigo. Attacks of Meniere's disease can last for several days.

Migraine

• Migraine-related vertigo is a type of the condition that accompanies a migraine headache. Sometimes migraine suffers don't develop vertigo for several years after their initial symptoms begin.

Medications

• You might experience vertigo if you are taking certain anticonvulsants or antidepressants. Aspirin can also cause vertigo.

Head Injuries

• You might experience vertigo or dizziness if you have hit your head. This could be a sign of a serious injury. If this occurs, see your doctor or go to the emergency room.