Causes of vertigo: 7 common triggers & how to limit the spinning

Are you tired of feeling like the room is spinning? If you have vertigo, you know how this unsettling sensation can interfere with your daily life. Fortunately, learning what causes your vertigo can help you reduce this dizziness. 

Simple lifestyle changes often make a big difference. Adding physical therapy to your routine may also improve your stability. With vestibular rehabilitation, your brain can learn how to process signals better, which lowers your likelihood of experiencing dizziness.

Let’s explore seven common triggers of vertigo and how you can limit the spinning. 

What is vertigo?

Vertigo is a feeling of spinning that occurs when there is no actual movement. People who experience vertigo may feel like they’re moving. Sometimes they experience the sensation of their environment spinning. Depending on its cause, vertigo could be a temporary or persistent symptom of an underlying condition.

What causes vertigo?

Vertigo can be caused by issues in the inner ear, brain, or the vestibular nerve, which connects the inner ear to the brain. Additionally, many factors can trigger the spinning sensation. Knowing what they are can bring you one step closer to finding relief. 

Here are the seven most common triggers of vertigo:

1. Position changes 

Sudden head movements can lead to vertigo by disturbing the balance of the inner ear. When you move your head quickly, tiny crystals in your ear canal shift. When they shift, they send incorrect signals to your brain about your positioning, causing spinning sensations.

2. Infections and inner ear conditions 

Common viral infections like the cold or flu can cause inflammation that disrupts signals from the inner ear to the brain. This disruption leads to the dizziness associated with vertigo. Ear conditions like benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), vestibular neuritis, and Meniere’s disease can also trigger vertigo.

3. Stress 

Everyday stress releases hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones may affect the vestibular system in the inner ear, which helps maintain balance and good posture. When stress hormones impair this system, it can cause vertigo symptoms.

4. Head injuries or concussion 

Traumatic head injuries can also disrupt the inner ear or areas of the brain involved in balance, increasing the possibility of dizziness. Two possible post-concussion symptoms are dizziness and vertigo. 

5. Medications 

Some drugs can directly affect the vestibular system. Other medications can cause side effects that may lead to dizziness. These side effects include dehydration and low blood pressure. 

6. Dehydration 

Mild to severe dehydration can cause spinning sensations. When you’re dehydrated, you have lower blood pressure and volume, reducing blood flow to the brain. As a result, you can feel light-headed or dizzy.

7. Low blood pressure 

Reduced blood flow to the inner ear and brain triggers vertigo by disrupting the vestibular system. As a result, it causes feelings of dizziness. Dehydration, some medications and severe infections can cause low blood pressure.

How to limit the spinning 

By preventing the common triggers above, you can help decrease your risk of falling and live without dizziness interfering with your daily activities. If vertigo is still making it difficult to perform everyday tasks, here are several tips you can try to manage it: 

• Don’t move quickly — Refraining from fast movements may prevent spinning sensations.

• Drink plenty of water — Staying hydrated will help keep your blood pressure from getting too low, which can lead to vertigo.

• Reduce stress — Easing stress with techniques like deep breathing can minimize dizziness.

• Get plenty of sleep — Ensuring you get enough sleep will help prevent spinning, as fatigue can worsen vertigo.

• Limit alcohol and caffeine — Reducing your alcohol and caffeine consumption can reduce dehydration, which causes symptoms.

• Maintain good posture — Leaning forward can trigger vertigo by reducing blood flow to the ears and brain.

• Consider physical therapy  — Doing vestibular rehabilitation exercises can restore your balance and help you feel more comfortable performing daily activities.

Find relief and manage vertigo at KC Rehab

Now that you know the common triggers of vertigo and some practical tips, you can limit the spinning. Simple steps like getting enough sleep and drinking plenty of water help lessen the dizziness, making it easier to have a better quality of life. Physical therapy can further support your recovery by helping you improve your balance and coordination. 

At KC Rehab, we offer vestibular rehabilitation designed to alleviate symptoms of dizziness. We’ll work with you to personalize a plan that meets your needs. Whether your goal is to improve your balance or reduce your dizziness, you’ll have our support every step of the way. 

Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.