Vertigo: Clinical Meaning

Menière's Disease

Menière's disease is a chronic inner ear disorder causing episodic vertigo, fluctuating hearing loss, tinnitus, and aural fullness. It results from abnormal fluid pressure in the inner ear; low-sodium diet, diuretics, and vestibular rehabilitation are treatments.

Labyrinthitis

Labyrinthitis is inflammation of the inner ear labyrinth, usually following viral infection, causing acute vertigo, nausea, and hearing loss. Most cases resolve within weeks; vestibular exercises accelerate recovery.

BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo)

BPPV is the most common cause of vertigo, caused by displaced calcium crystals in the inner ear. It causes brief but intense vertigo triggered by head position changes, treatable with repositioning maneuvers.

Labyrinthitis

Labyrinthitis is inflammation of the inner ear labyrinth, typically following a viral infection. It causes sudden severe vertigo, hearing loss, and tinnitus, significantly impacting daily functioning.

Chronic Vertigo

Chronic vertigo encompasses multiple conditions causing persistent or recurrent episodes of dizziness and spinning sensation. Common causes include BPPV, Meniere's disease, vestibular migraine, and labyrinthitis.