‘ Vertigo ‘ is a symptom that seems similar to normal dizziness, but it may unknowingly be dangerous. Therefore, we should differentiate between dizziness and vertigo to avoid behaviors that lead to risks immediately.
Interesting topics about vertigo
- What causes dizziness?
- What is the difference between dizziness and vertigo?
- Causes of dizziness
- Is it dangerous to feel dizzy or have vertigo?
- What should you do when you feel dizzy?
- How to treat dizziness
- How many days does it take for dizziness to go away?
- How to prevent vertigo
What causes dizziness?
Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, feeling dizzy, feeling uneasy, and feeling unwell can be caused by many reasons, such as physical illness, mental illness, chronic disease, taking certain medications, etc. Other symptoms must also be taken into account to help identify the cause more specifically, including:
- Feeling dizzy and faint ( fainting ) may be a symptom of a disease of the blood vessels and heart.
- Feeling that the environment is spinning or that you are spinning or swaying while the environment is still (Vertigo) is a disorder that comes from the vestibular system inside the ear and the nervous system, etc.
What is the difference between dizziness and vertigo?
Dizziness is a feeling of dizziness, confusion, lack of lightness, and discomfort, which can be caused by a variety of factors, including physical illnesses , schizophrenia , chronic diseases, and taking certain medications. To know the exact cause of dizziness, it may be necessary to specify other symptoms that occur together more specifically.
Vertigo is a feeling that the environment is spinning or that we ourselves are spinning or swaying while the environment is still. This symptom is a disorder of the balance system in the ear and nervous system.
Causes of dizziness
1. Diseases of the ear
Inside our ears are located the organs related to balance. Symptoms are often sudden and severe. Patients often also experience nausea and vomiting, which come and go. Some people may recover slowly or quickly (this can happen in 80 percent of patients with vertigo ). Common illnesses include:

- Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), the most common form of the disease, is a degenerative disease of the inner ear, and is therefore more common in older adults .
- Vestibular neuritis is a long-lasting condition that often occurs after or at the same time as a viral infection.

- Meniere’s disease is a disorder of the fluid in the inner ear. People with this disorder often have decreased hearing and a ringing sound in their ears, and some people also experience tinnitus.
- Other diseases that can occur include inner ear infections (labyrinthitis), vestibular or auditory nerve tumors (acoustic neuroma).
2. Neurological and brain diseases
Symptoms tend to be gradual, not as severe as internal ear diseases, and tend to be constant. Patients may also experience headaches. In some cases, other neurological symptoms may also occur. Brain diseases include:
- Blood disorders when there is insufficient blood supply to the balance nervous system, which may be caused by high blood fat, high blood pressure, smoking, and diabetes, etc.
- Neuroendocrine tumors
- Nervous system infections
Feeling dizzy or having vertigo? Is it dangerous?
The danger of dizziness depends on the cause of the symptoms. Generally, it is caused by a disease that can be treated and is not dangerous. However, if there are also symptoms that indicate a nervous system disorder, there may be hidden dangers.
What should you do when you feel dizzy?

Lie down and stare at a fixed point. Symptoms will usually gradually improve.

If you have had symptoms before, try taking medication. If symptoms worsen or do not improve, see your doctor for further diagnosis.

If you have symptoms of neurological disorders such as slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, or weakness in the arms and legs, see a doctor immediately.
How to treat dizziness
In general, treatment for dizziness is symptomatic. Doctors will prescribe medication to help reduce symptoms and consider treatment based on the cause of the disease as appropriate for each patient.
How many days does it take for dizziness to go away?
The duration of dizziness depends on the cause of the symptoms. For example, if the cause is an ear disease, the symptoms will generally last from seconds to days. If the symptoms last for several days, they will usually come and go. However, if the cause is from the nervous system, the symptoms will usually be stable and will last longer.
How to prevent vertigo
The easiest way to prevent yourself from getting vertigo is to start by observing your own behavior and trying to avoid those negative behaviors, including:
- Avoid triggers such as getting enough rest, avoiding stress and anxiety.
- Avoid smoking and caffeine consumption.
- Exercise regularly
- Avoid impact to the ear area, including loud noises.
- Have a regular health check at least once a year.

Jittiwat Amnouypon ,M.D.
General Practitioner
Last modified: 04/02/2024
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