Regardless other whether you feel vertigo or dizziness, both are very unpleasant. Ian Hooton / Science Photo Library

It’s easy to assume that they are the same thing, because in day to day life we use the terms interchangeably, but in actual fact they are different.  And as you move forward in your understanding of your vertigo or dizziness problem it is important that you understand the difference.

Vertigo specifically means a sensation of movement of either yourself or the world when you are not really moving.  It is usually a spinning sensation, most often to the side, but you may experience a feeling of flipping backward or forward as well.

Vertigo may produce a feeling of dizziness as well, but dizziness specifically is a feeling of unsteadiness (without feeling like you’re moving), lightheadedness or otherwise feeling off-balance.

So now you are aware of the difference you need to observe how you feel when you get your symptoms.  Do you get that spinning sensation?  If you do then you have vertigo.  Try also to notice how long does it last, which way are you spinning, and are there certain movements or positions that set it off (there may not be any).  They are all helpful in treating the vertigo. 

The causes of vertigo and dizziness are many and I’ll talk in more depth in later posts about them.  So let us know, do you find it difficult to tell the difference between your vertigo and dizziness?  What has been your experience with either?  Post a comment below.