| Possible Condition | Symptoms | Length of Attack | Triggers |
|---|---|---|---|
| BPPV – Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo | Room spinning vertigo Nausea | Less than 60 seconds Short attacks may occur several times/day Attacks often continue for a few weeks than subside Re-occurrences common | Laying down Rolling over in bed Looking up / down Bending over Quick head turns |
| Vestibular Neuritis | Room spinning vertigo Nausea Dizziness / Imbalance | 24-72 hours of severe vertigo Followed by weeks/months of dizziness / imbalance Vertigo does not typically return after initial attack | Viral / bacterial infection (cold / flu) Dizziness triggered by: movement busy places bright light / loud noises |
| Labyrinthitis | Room spinning vertigo Dizziness / Imbalance Hearing loss in affected ear (full or part) | 24-72 hours of severe vertigo Followed by weeks/months of dizziness / imbalance Vertigo does not typically return after initial attack Hearing does not return | Viral / bacterial infection (cold / flu) Dizziness triggered by: movement busy places bright light / loud noises |
| Menières Disease | Severe vertigo Dizziness / Imbalance Ear Fullness / Pressure Temporary hearing loss (during the attack) Tinnitus | 20 minutes to 24 hours Average attack 2-4 hours Lingering / milder symptoms for a few days following | Symptoms come on suddenly without a movement trigger Attacks sometimes triggered by dehydration, high salt intake |
| Vestibular Migraine | A combination of some of the following: vertigo dizziness nausea motion sensitivity headache visual aura sensitivity to light tinnitus | A few minutes to 72 hours Symptoms can often linger for several weeks following an attack | Head motion or busy environments Certain foods Alcohol / caffeine Exercise Lack of sleep |
| PPPD – Persistent Postural Perceptual Disorder | Dizziness Nausea Unsteadiness Rocking / Swaying Motion sensitivity | Dizziness is persistent More than 15 days per month | Worse while upright and moving Busy environments Stress, poor sleep: – often triggered by a separate vestibular condition (neuritis, BPPV) |
| MDDS – Mal De Debarquement Syndrome | Rocking Bobbing Swaying Imbalance | Constant Daily since it began | Initially begins after a long voyage by car, ship or plane Worse while person is not moving Often feels better in motion |
| Stroke | A combination of some of the following: vertigo hearing loss inability to walk without support trouble speaking trouble swallowing double vision confusion | Sudden onset Constant or worsening symptoms | No specific activity, positional, dietary trigger |
Last Updated on Aug 13, 2021
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