Vertigo Causes: Symptoms, Treatment & Help in Canada

Vertigo causes range from minor inner ear problems to serious neurological conditions — and understanding them is the first step toward finding relief. Vertigo is more than just feeling lightheaded. It is the sensation that you or the world around you is spinning, even when you are completely still. It can strike suddenly, knock you off your feet, and make everyday tasks feel impossible.

What Are the Most Common Vertigo Causes?

Millions of Canadians experience vertigo symptoms each year, yet many do not know what triggers their episodes or when to seek medical attention. Whether your dizziness stems from benign positional vertigo, an inner ear infection, or something more complex, this guide explains what you need to know — including how vertigo is diagnosed and treated across Canada.

What Is Vertigo?

Common Vertigo Causes: Types, Characteristics, and Management

Type of Vertigo	Common Causes & Characteristics	Key Symptoms	Management Approach
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)	Displaced calcium crystals in the inner ear; most common vertigo cause in Canada; triggered by head position changes	Brief spinning episodes (under 1 minute), triggered by rolling over in bed or looking up	Epley manoeuvre performed by a physiotherapist or physician; high success rate with repositioning therapy
Vestibular Neuritis	Viral infection inflaming the vestibular nerve; often follows a cold or flu	Sudden, severe dizziness lasting days; nausea, vomiting, difficulty walking; no hearing loss	Short-term vestibular suppressants; vestibular rehabilitation exercises; most resolve within weeks
Ménière’s Disease	Excess fluid buildup in the inner ear; chronic condition affecting balance and hearing	Recurring vertigo episodes (20 minutes to several hours), tinnitus, fluctuating hearing loss, ear fullness	Low-sodium diet, diuretics, referral to an otolaryngologist (ENT); intratympanic injections in some cases
Labyrinthitis	Bacterial or viral infection of the inner ear labyrinth; often associated with middle ear infections	Vertigo with hearing loss, ear pain, tinnitus; symptoms may persist for several weeks	Antibiotics if bacterial; corticosteroids to reduce inflammation; vestibular rehabilitation
Central Vertigo	Caused by conditions affecting the brain including stroke, multiple sclerosis, or migraines; less common but more serious	Persistent dizziness, difficulty walking, double vision, slurred speech, facial numbness	Immediate emergency care (call 9-1-1 if stroke is suspected); treatment depends on underlying neurological condition

Vertigo is a specific type of dizziness. With vertigo, you feel like the room is rotating or tilting around you. Some people feel like they themselves are spinning. The sensation can be mild and barely noticeable, or so severe that you fall to the ground.

Vertigo is not the same as a fear of heights. The dizziness some people feel when looking down from a tall building is different. True vertigo can happen at any time, in any place, and can last for years if left untreated.

Mild vertigo is very common and is often harmless. However, recurring or persistent vertigo may point to another health condition. It is always worth speaking with your family doctor or visiting a walk-in clinic to rule out serious causes.

Vertigo Symptoms to Watch For

Vertigo can come on suddenly and last just a few minutes. For other people, symptoms come and go over several days. In severe cases, vertigo can be constant and make everyday life very difficult.

Common Symptoms of Vertigo

The symptoms of vertigo can vary in strength from person to person. They may include:

• A sensation that the room is moving or spinning
• Nausea and vomiting
• Difficulty standing or walking steadily
• A feeling of being unsteady or off-balance
• Trouble keeping your eyes focused on one point
• A feeling that the floor is moving beneath you

For some people, these symptoms are brief. For others, they are constant and exhausting. In addition, vertigo that lasts several days and causes repeated vomiting can leave you feeling completely drained.

What Causes Vertigo?

Vertigo usually starts with a problem in the inner ear. Your inner ear controls your sense of balance. It contains a fluid-filled, coiled tube called the labyrinth, located just behind your eardrum.

Inner Ear Infections

Viral infections — like a cold or the flu — can spread to the labyrinth. This condition is called labyrinthitis. Less often, a bacterial ear infection (otitis media) can cause labyrinthitis. Vertigo caused by an ear infection often comes on suddenly and may be accompanied by ear pain and fever.

Benign Positional Vertigo

Short but repeated attacks of vertigo are often caused by benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). This type can follow a viral infection or an injury to the inner ear. It tends to affect older adults and is often triggered by a sudden head movement, like turning your head quickly. The attacks are usually very brief — just seconds — but they can cause confusion and disorientation.

Other Common Causes of Vertigo

Vertigo can also be linked to other health conditions, including:

• Cervical arthritis — arthritis of the neck, which can be triggered by turning or tilting your head
• Migraines — especially if headaches are severe or if there is a family history of migraines
• Poor circulation — if the part of the brain that controls balance does not get enough blood and oxygen
• Motion sickness and hyperventilation
• Alcohol and certain medications

Severe vertigo may also point to Ménière’s disease. This inner ear disorder causes vertigo attacks that can last up to 12 hours. It is often accompanied by ringing in the ears (tinnitus) and hearing difficulties. Attacks can leave patients completely exhausted. Learn more about inner ear conditions from Mayo Clinic’s overview of Ménière’s disease.

Rare but Serious Causes

In rare cases, vertigo can be caused by a stroke, multiple sclerosis, or a tumour affecting the nerves connecting the inner ear to the brain. These conditions usually come with other symptoms, such as difficulty speaking or changes in vision. Furthermore, vertigo following a head injury requires urgent medical attention. If this happens to you, go to the emergency department right away.

How Is Vertigo Diagnosed?

Your doctor will usually diagnose vertigo by listening to your description of symptoms. A physical exam of your ears, eye movements, and nervous system can help identify the cause.

Tests Your Doctor May Order

If your vertigo is severe or lasts a long time, your doctor may recommend additional tests. These can include:

• Positional testing — your doctor places your head in specific positions to trigger dizziness, which helps diagnose BPPV
• Balance test — you close your eyes and stand still; if you lose your balance, it may suggest an inner ear problem
• Caloric testing — air at different temperatures is gently blown into your ear to check how well your inner ear is working
• X-ray — may be used if cervical arthritis is suspected
• MRI or CT scan — may be needed if tinnitus is present, to rule out a brain tumour

Your provincial health plan may cover many of these tests when referred by a family doctor or specialist. Ask your doctor which tests are right for your situation.

Vertigo Treatment Options

Treatment for vertigo depends on its cause and how severe your symptoms are. The good news is that many cases of vertigo improve on their own or respond well to treatment.

Treating Vertigo Caused by Ear Infections

If vertigo is linked to an ear infection, it is usually mild and clears up once the infection is treated. However, if symptoms are severe or you are vomiting frequently, your doctor may prescribe medication. Bacterial ear infections are treated with antibiotics.

If labyrinthitis is the cause, resting in a quiet, darkened room can help ease nausea and spinning sensations. Labyrinthitis often clears up on its own, but bacterial cases need antibiotics.

Managing Vertigo During Travel

Vertigo can get worse during travel. Therefore, your doctor may prescribe an antiemetic medication before car trips, flights, or boat rides. Antiemetics work by blocking the signals in the brain that trigger nausea and vomiting. They are also helpful for vertigo caused by motion sickness, migraines, or inner ear disorders.

Other Treatment Approaches

If poor blood circulation to the brain is causing your vertigo, your doctor may recommend a daily low-dose aspirin. For BPPV, a series of simple head movements called the Epley manoeuvre can often relieve symptoms quickly — and your doctor or physiotherapist can teach you how to do it. For Ménière’s disease, treatment may include dietary changes, diuretics, and in some cases, further medical procedures.

You can also find reliable information about vertigo treatment through Healthline’s vertigo treatment guide and Health Canada’s patient health resources.

When to See a Doctor About Vertigo

Mild, occasional vertigo is common and often harmless. However, some situations call for prompt medical attention. You should see your family doctor or visit a walk-in clinic if:

• Your vertigo comes back repeatedly or does not go away
• You are vomiting and cannot keep fluids down
• You have ringing in your ears or sudden hearing loss
• Your vertigo followed a head injury
• You experience headaches, vision changes, or difficulty speaking along with vertigo

Go to your nearest emergency department or call 911 immediately if your vertigo comes on suddenly and is accompanied by chest pain, weakness on one side of the body, or trouble speaking. These may be signs of a stroke.

If you are unsure, most walk-in clinics across Canada can assess vertigo and refer you to a specialist if needed. Many provincial health plans cover specialist referrals for ongoing or unexplained dizziness.

Frequently Asked Questions About Vertigo

Key Takeaways

• Vertigo is the sensation of spinning or movement when you are still — it is more intense than ordinary dizziness.
• The most common cause is a problem in the inner ear, often triggered by infection or benign positional vertigo.
• Symptoms include spinning sensations, nausea, vomiting, and difficulty walking or standing.
• Many cases of vertigo improve on their own or respond well to medication and simple exercises.
• See your family doctor or walk-in clinic if vertigo is recurring, persistent, or affecting your daily life.
• Seek emergency care immediately if vertigo is accompanied by sudden weakness, vision changes, or difficulty speaking.
• Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any treatment for vertigo. Your doctor is your best resource for a diagnosis that fits your specific situation.