Vertigo: What Is It and How Is It Treated?

TLDR

Vertigo is the feeling that you or the room around you is spinning or moving, even though everything is actually still. It is most often caused by problems affecting the inner ear, but it can also be linked to certain neurological conditions or a head injury. In some cases, dizziness may be related to TMJ disorders, so a dental evaluation may be recommended if your symptoms suggest it could be a contributing factor.

Table of Contents

Vertigo is not a disease itself but a symptom that creates the false sensation of movement, often described as spinning or tilting.

While most cases of vertigo are caused by inner ear or neurological conditions, some patients with TMJ disorders may also experience dizziness. At Smiles by Design Dental Spa in Fort Mill, SC, Dr. Schraw evaluates whether TMJ dysfunction may be contributing to these symptoms when appropriate.

What Is Vertigo and How Does It Feel?

Vertigo is different from simply feeling dizzy. Instead of lightheadedness, it creates the illusion that you or your surroundings are moving. Some people feel the room spinning, while others feel they are moving or tilting even when standing still. Episodes may last from a few seconds to several minutes, depending on the underlying condition.

Many people notice vertigo when they roll over in bed, bend down, look up, or turn their head quickly.

What Are the Most Common Vertigo Symptoms?

Vertigo involves more than a spinning sensation. Symptoms can vary depending on the underlying cause and may include:

Nausea or vomiting
Abnormal eye movements (nystagmus)
Sweating during an episode
Ringing in the ears or temporary hearing changes
Loss of balance
Difficulty walking

What Causes Vertigo?

Most cases of vertigo begin in the inner ear. When the inner ear isn’t working properly, it sends conflicting signals to the brain, making you feel as though you or your surroundings are moving.

Common causes include:

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), which occurs when tiny calcium crystals move out of place in the inner ear
Ménière’s disease, caused by excess fluid in the inner ear
Vestibular neuritis, an inflammation of the vestibular nerve that affects balance
Vestibular migraines
Neurological disorders
Head injuries

Are There Different Types of Vertigo?

Yes. Vertigo falls into two main categories.

Peripheral vertigo is the most common type and originates within the vestibular system of the inner ear.

Central vertigo is caused by conditions affecting the brain or central nervous system, such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, or other neurological disorders.

How Is Vertigo Diagnosed?

Depending on your symptoms, your specialist may perform positional tests, balance assessments, hearing evaluations, or imaging studies. Your healthcare provider may also perform balance and eye movement tests, along with hearing assessments or imaging studies if needed, to determine the underlying cause.

What Treatment Options Are Available for Vertigo?

The best treatment for vertigo depends on its cause, rather than on treating the spinning sensation alone. Common therapies include:

Canalith repositioning maneuvers, such as the Epley maneuver: Used to treat BPPV by moving displaced inner ear crystals back into place.
Vestibular rehabilitation therapy: Exercises that improve balance and reduce dizziness over time.
Medications: May help relieve nausea, motion sickness, and severe dizziness during an episode, although they do not treat the underlying cause
Treating the underlying condition: Managing problems such as inner ear infections, migraine-related vertigo, or Ménière disease can help reduce recurring episodes.

Although less common, TMJ disorders may contribute to dizziness in some individuals, particularly when jaw dysfunction affects nearby muscles and nerves. If TMJ is contributing to your symptoms, a dentist may recommend the right treatment to relieve jaw muscle tension.

Vertigo Treatment in Fort Mill, SC

Our dentist in Fort Mill helps patients with TMJ-related vertigo get lasting relief.

If vertigo or dizziness keeps coming back, it’s important to have it evaluated. Although many cases begin in the inner ear, TMJ disorders can also contribute to dizziness in some patients.

At Smiles by Design Dental Spa, we offer vertigo treatment in Fort Mill, near Charlotte, for patients with TMJ-related concerns. After evaluating your symptoms, we’ll work with you to develop a treatment plan that may include therapeutic Botox® when clinically appropriate.

An early evaluation can help identify the cause of your symptoms and guide the right treatment. Schedule your appointment today.

Key Takeaways

Vertigo is the false sensation that you or your surroundings are moving.
Most cases are linked to inner ear problems, but neurological conditions, head injuries, and TMJ disorders may also contribute.
Treatment depends on the underlying cause and may include repositioning maneuvers, medication, vestibular therapy, or TMJ treatment when appropriate.
At Smiles by Design Dental Spa, Dr. Schraw provides vertigo treatment in Fort Mill, SC, for patients whose symptoms are related to TMJ disorders.