Vertigo Disease Summary

Last updated: 31 March 2026

Overview

True vertigo is a type of dizziness wherein the patient experiences a false sense of spinning or rotational motion in the surroundings or within oneself even when there is no physical movement, as stated in the Introduction section.  

Vertigo can occur throughout life, but its incidence increases with advancing age. A detailed discussion about the prevalence of the different types of peripheral vertigo is in the Epidemiology section.

Vertigo may be secondary to different causes that may be determined by numerous factors such as timing, duration, aggravating conditions, and associated symptoms. Discussions on these factors are in the Etiology section.  

The Pathophysiology section states that dizziness and vertigo affect balance, causing the brain to rely on signals from the inner ear, eyes, and body position. The development processes of different types of peripheral vertigo are in this section.

Factors that are associated with the development of vertigo, including benign paroxysmal positional vertigo and Meniere’s disease, are in the Risk Factors section.

The Classification section explains the different classifications of vertigo and their types.



Vertigo_Disease SummaryVertigo_Disease Summary

History and Physical Examination

The Clinical Presentation section describes the associated symptoms occurring with vertigo.

The History section describes the importance of past medical and family histories in the diagnosis of vertigo.

The Physical Examination section enumerates the different examinations needed to be performed on patients with vertigo. This section also includes clinical tests that are useful for evaluating vestibular function and distinguishing central from peripheral vertigo.

Diagnosis

Indications for diagnostic studies in the evaluation of vertigo are in the Imaging section. 

Other conditions that should be ruled out in the diagnosis of vertigo are listed in the Differential Diagnosis section.

Management

The Pharmacological Therapy section discusses the symptomatic therapy given to the patient in detail depending on the type of vertigo.

Discussions on the different surgical options in patients with Meniere’s disease are in the Surgery section.

The Monitoring section identifies indications for follow-up in patients diagnosed with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.