The diagnosis of dizziness and vertigo is not always straight forward. We often see patients who have undergone every test imaginable, yet still don’t have an answer for their dizziness. That’s because many conditions that cause dizziness or vertigo don’t show up on standard blood tests or scans.
While these tests are a crucial part of ruling out serious issues, we understand how frustrating it is to keep hearing that ‘everything looks normal’—especially when you feel anything but.
What can cause dizziness and vertigo?
Dizziness, vertigo and balance problems can have many different causes. Some originate from the inner ear and balance system, while others may involve the brain, vision, circulation, medications or other health conditions.
Vestibular causes are often described as peripheral or central, depending on which part of the balance system is affected. Understanding the pattern of symptoms and test findings can help determine what may be contributing to a person’s dizziness.
Peripheral causes
When symptoms originate from the inner ear or the vestibular nerve. Peripheral vertigo is much more common than central vertigo.
Some peripheral cause include:
– Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
– Labyrinthitis or Vestibular Neuritis
Central causes
Central conditions can be caused by issues with how the brain is processing balance information from the inner ear.
Some central causes of vertigo include:
– Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD)
For more information and support for vestibular (inner ear and brain balance) disorders, visit:
Treatment of Dizziness and Vertigo
Depending on your diagnosis, the most effective treatment plan may include balance retraining exercises with a vestibular physiotherapist, medication, and addressing lifestyle factors such as sleep and nutrition. Education about your specific type of dizziness will also play a key role in your recovery.