Vertigo and general dizziness can often be discussed in the same diagnostic conversations, but their sensations and causes are different. When you are dizzy, your body is going through some type of situational or environmental imbalance, where vertigo results from inner ear troubles and equilibrium issues.

It is important to know which one you are experiencing so you can seek the appropriate treatment. Our staff at AFC Urgent Care Mooresville can help you better understand the differences between the two below.

What Does It Feel Like to Be Dizzy?

When you are dizzy, you feel off-balance and it can produce nausea as you feel like you are spinning. Being dizzy can also make certain daily tasks dangerous as your center of balance feels like it has shifted.

Being dizzy can usually be traced back to another issue happening inside your body. Many times, water, rest or food can help alleviate your symptoms.

Causes of Dizziness

• Dehydration
• Heat exhaustion
• Low blood sugar or blood pressure
• Iron deficiency anemia

What Is the Difference Between Vertigo and Dizziness?

When you have vertigo, you are usually suffering from an inner ear imbalance within your ear canal. Conditions like migraines, labyrinthitis and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) are all conditions or diagnoses that are attributed to cases of vertigo. Vertigo symptoms are much more troublesome than mild dizziness. Vertigo causes your entire world to shift and move around you and under your feet. It can feel like your head is swimming whenever you change direction, and it can continually keep you off-balance.

Bouts of vertigo can make day-to-day tasks impossible if you cannot get up and move around. Some cases only last a few seconds to minutes while others can linger for days to weeks. Any case lasting multiple days should be evaluated by a medical provider.

Vertigo Symptoms

• Intense spinning or world shifting sensations
• Nausea and vomiting
• Tinnitus (ringing in ears)
• Motion sickness

If your vertigo becomes severe or is recurrent, you should be evaluated by a medical provider. Drop by AFC Urgent Care Mooresville to be seen quickly!