• Stress
• Vertigo
• Dizziness

Can Stress Cause Vertigo?

Feeling like the world is spinning around you, even when you’re still, can be a disorienting and alarming experience. 

This is the sensation of vertigo, and it often comes with other symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, and unsteadiness. 

While common signs include a spinning sensation and loss of balance, other symptoms like headaches, nausea, and ringing in the ears may also accompany it. 

In this article, we’ll explore what causes vertigo, its types, how to identify it, and when to seek help.

What is Vertigo?

Vertigo is a condition characterized by a spinning sensation or a feeling of rotational movement even when physically motionless. 

Although people often describe vertigo as dizziness, it’s important to note that dizziness is a broader term that includes vertigo, light-headedness, and disequilibrium.

Vertigo can affect all age groups, but its causes often differ. In younger individuals, it’s typically linked to issues with the inner ear – such as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) or vestibular neuritis. 

In the elderly, vertigo is particularly concerning as it can lead to falls, increasing the risk of severe injuries.

What are the Different Types of Vertigo?

There are two main types of vertigo: peripheral and central. 

Peripheral vertigo, which is more common and usually less severe, originates from issues within the inner ear structures, such as the semicircular canals or vestibular nerve. 

Conditions like benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), vestibular neuritis, and Ménière’s disease can cause this type of vertigo. 

Central vertigo, on the other hand, is caused by problems in the brain, such as brainstem disorders, tumors, or other neurological conditions. It often requires immediate medical evaluation due to the potential severity of its underlying causes.

How do you know if you have vertigo?

If you’re wondering whether you have vertigo, pay attention to the way your body feels. 

The main indicator of vertigo is a sensation of spinning or movement even when you are still, but there are other symptoms that also occur with vertigo.

Remember, only a healthcare professional can make a formal diagnosis. 

Symptoms of peripheral vertigo:

• Vertigo triggered by specific head movements

• Hearing loss, particularly in one ear

• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)

• Nausea and vomiting

• Blisters around the ear (in some cases)

• A feeling of fullness in the ear

Symptoms of central vertigo:

• Continuous, unprovoked vertigo

• Severe headaches

• Problems with coordination or balance

• Weakness, often localized to one side of the body

• Abnormal eye movements or eyes deviating to one side

• Reduced level of consciousness, sometimes linked to large brain tumors

• Nausea and vomiting

What’s the Difference Between Dizziness and Vertigo?

Dizziness is a general term that refers to various sensations, including feeling light-headed, experiencing vertigo, or having a sense of imbalance and unsteadiness.

Here’s how each is defined:

• Light-headedness (presyncope): A sensation of feeling faint, woozy, or like you might pass out. It often occurs when suddenly standing up from a seated or lying position and is generally related to blood pressure and reduced blood flow to the brain.

• Vertigo: A specific kind of dizziness where you feel as though the world is spinning or shifting around you, even when you’re standing still. Unlike other forms of dizziness, vertigo is typically associated with issues in the inner ear or brain.

• Disequilibrium: A feeling of unsteadiness, imbalance, or the sense that you are about to fall. It doesn’t involve a spinning sensation but rather difficulty maintaining stability when walking or standing.

Understanding these distinctions is important for diagnosing the underlying cause of your symptoms, as treatments can vary significantly depending on what you’re experiencing.

How are Stress and Vertigo Related?

The terms “vertigo” and “dizziness” are often used interchangeably, but as explained above, they are not the same. 

Dizziness is a broad term that can include sensations like light-headedness, faintness, or a sense of unsteadiness, while vertigo specifically refers to the feeling that you or your surroundings are spinning, even when you are still.

Anxiety and stress are common triggers for dizziness, particularly light-headedness. 

Intense emotions like fear or anxiety can activate the vagus nerve, which connects to blood vessels throughout the body. 

This activation can cause blood vessels to dilate, leading to a drop in blood pressure and reduced blood flow to the brain, resulting in light-headedness or even fainting, a phenomenon known as vasovagal syncope. 

Unlike vertigo, vasovagal syncope is usually not associated with another underlying illness.

While stress does not directly cause vertigo, it can intensify the symptoms. When multiple factors contribute to dizziness, such as anxiety, poor posture, or inner ear issues, the symptoms can worsen overall. 

Additionally, vertigo itself is a distressing experience that can significantly impact your quality of life, potentially increasing stress levels and creating a cycle where stress and vertigo feed off each other, making the symptoms more severe.

How Can You Prevent Vertigo?

Stay hydrated

Dehydration can lead to low blood pressure and reduced blood flow to the brain, causing dizziness and vertigo. Drink water regularly throughout the day, especially after exercise or in hot weather, to maintain hydration and avoid these symptoms.

Avoid sudden position changes

Sudden movements, like standing up too quickly, can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure (orthostatic hypotension), leading to dizziness. To prevent this, change positions slowly and allow your body time to adjust.

Manage underlying health conditions

Conditions like Meniere’s disease, vestibular neuritis, or BPPV can cause chronic vertigo. Managing these with medical advice is essential for symptom control. If persistent vertigo symptoms occur, seek medical evaluation.

What Conditions Can Trigger Vertigo?

Vertigo can be triggered by various underlying conditions, ranging from issues within the inner ear to problems in the brain, as previously mentioned. 

Here’s a look at some common conditions that can lead to vertigo episodes:

Inner ear disorders

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a common cause of vertigo. 

In the inner ear, there are three semicircular canals filled with fluid that help the brain understand head movement and orientation, much like a construction level. 

If these canals are disrupted, blocked, or impaired, it can confuse the brain, leading to vertigo. 

One common issue is when calcium carbonate crystals, or “ear rocks,” become dislodged and float within these canals, sending incorrect signals to the brain. 

Fortunately, this can often be resolved by a healthcare provider through a simple procedure called the Epley maneuver, which helps reposition the crystals and alleviate symptoms.

Vestibular neuritis

Vestibular neuritis is an inflammation of the vestibular nerve, which is part of the eighth cranial nerve. Cranial nerves originate directly from the brain, and the vestibular nerve plays a key role in maintaining balance and coordinating eye movements. 

When this nerve becomes inflamed, it can lead to symptoms such as vertigo, nausea, imbalance, and unusual, jerky eye movements. 

While vestibular neuritis can cause significant discomfort, it is not considered a serious condition and typically resolves on its own within a few days to a few weeks.

Meniere’s disease

Meniere’s disease is another condition that can lead to vertigo, caused by an imbalance of fluid in the inner ear. 

Although the exact cause of this fluid imbalance remains unknown, it often affects only one ear, though 15-25% of sufferers may experience symptoms in both ears. 

Vertigo episodes from Meniere’s disease can vary in intensity and often occur in bouts, with long symptom-free periods in between. 

Some people with this condition also experience “drop attacks,” where sudden, severe vertigo causes them to lose balance and fall, making it a potentially dangerous condition if not managed properly.

Vestibular migraine

A vestibular migraine occurs when a person experiences a migraine where the primary symptom, aside from the headache, is vertigo. 

Those who suffer from vestibular migraines often describe the sensation as feeling like they are moving “to and fro,” even when they are still. 

This condition can disrupt balance and cause dizziness, making daily activities challenging during an episode. Unlike typical migraines, the emphasis is less on the pain and more on the uncomfortable and disorienting sensation of vertigo.

Schwannoma (acoustic neuroma)

Schwannoma – also known as acoustic neuroma – is a rare condition affecting fewer than 200,000 people each year. 

It is a noncancerous tumor that develops on the nerves of the nervous system, such as those in the brain, spinal cord, or peripheral nerves. 

Symptoms of a schwannoma vary depending on the tumor’s location but can include vertigo, nausea, impaired balance, dizziness, and pain. 

While these tumors are generally benign and slow-growing, they may need to be removed if they grow rapidly or cause significant disruption to nerve function, affecting quality of life.

When Should You See a Doctor for Vertigo?

You should see your healthcare provider if you are experiencing persistent vertigo that does not improve over time. 

Be sure to seek immediate medical attention if you notice stroke-like symptoms such as slurred speech, one-sided weakness, or a severe headache. 

Additionally, if your vertigo is interfering with your daily activities or ability to function, it’s important to consult a medical professional for a proper diagnosis and management plan.

Where Can You Learn More About Vertigo?

Do you have frequent vertigo episodes? Are you experiencing any of the symptoms above? LifeMD can help.

A team of doctors can provide personalized care, from diagnosing the underlying causes of your vertigo to creating a tailored treatment plan that works for you.

Make your appointment today and take control of your health.

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