Symptoms and Causes of Central Vertigo
Episodes of central vertigo are usually more intense and last longer than those of the peripheral kind. It may even be impossible to stand or move on your own.
Uncontrollable eye movement can happen in both types, but in central vertigo it lasts much longer (weeks to months) and does not go away if you try to focus on something.
Auditory function is usually unaffected, but other symptoms like headaches, weakness, or trouble swallowing may be present.
The causes of central vertigo are as follows:
- Head injury;
- Illness or infection;
- Multiple sclerosis (a condition affecting the central nervous system);
- Migraines (a severe headache felt as a throbbing pain at the front or on one side of the head);
- Brain tumors in the lower part of the brain;
- Strokes;
- Transient ischemic attacks (those are “mini” strokes that go away quickly and cause no permanent damage);
- Certain medications.
A stroke is an especially dangerous condition, in which it is possible to experience not only vertigo, but also slurred speech, problems with movement, weakness and numbness. It is crucial to get medical help as soon as possible. [3, 4]
Are Vertigo and Dizziness the Same Thing?
Although both dizziness and vertigo are balance problems, they are not quite the same thing. Dizziness is a nonvestibular disorder that gives an overall feeling of being unbalanced and a spinning sensation inside the head. Patients often describe their symptoms as “lightheaded, swimming, giddiness, floating”. They often have a feeling that they have left their body.
Vertigo, on the other hand, is a vestibular disorder and is accompanied by nystagmus (involuntary eye movement) which gives the sensation of spinning around or the surroundings spinning around you. It is possible to feel like you are having motion sickness and a feeling of imbalance, as though leaning to one side. It is often referred to as a continuous symptom.
Nonvestibular dizziness can be worsened by the movement of objects in the visual field, for example in situations such as driving in traffic or shopping in a crowded place.
Vertigo is normally aggravated by head movements or other positional changes and postural hypertension. Symptoms such as nausea and vomiting or hearing and neurologic problems are also more likely to occur in vestibular dysfunction. [6, 7]
So pay attention to your symptoms and the situations which trigger them to have a better understanding of whether your dizziness is vertigo, and be sure to consult a specialist if the symptoms are severe or recurrent.
