You are going about your day and all of a sudden the world begins to swim before your eyes and it feels like you can’t stand up straight-you might have just experienced vertigo! Vertigo is an intense sense of dizziness that makes your surroundings shift and spin around you.

Vertigo can be diagnosed, but it isn’t a disease or an illness, really. It is a symptom that stems from another issue inside of your body, and vertigo is your body’s reaction to it. Typically the issue is coming from an imbalance within your inner ear canal.

It is an incredibly common sensation that will affect 40% of our population at least once, so it is crucial to know what it feels like so you know what symptoms to watch out for. Read on to get the facts about vertigo from our AFC Urgent Care Knoxville team.

What Do My Ears Have to Do With Vertigo?

The majority of vertigo cases are caused by an equilibrium issue somewhere inside your ear canals. When your center of balance is shifted, it can make your daily life difficult as you experience these unpleasant sensations.

Headache conditions and inner ear conditions like migraines, labyrinthitis and BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo) are all common causes of vertigo due to their close proximity to your inner ears. Watch out for other vertigo symptoms outlined below.

Signs of Vertigo

• Intense spinning or world shifting sensations
• Nausea and vomiting
• Tinnitus (ringing in ears)
• Motion sickness

What Can I Do to Help My Vertigo Symptoms?

Start by taking things slowly. Try not to move your head too quickly, and turn your entire body when you change direction. You can also add in some anti-nausea medications to help with your upset stomach. BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo) cases can be relieved by doing a series of specific head movements, but those should only be done under a medical provider’s supervision.

Thankfully, your symptoms should resolve within a day or two in most cases. If they don’t, that is an indication that it is time to meet with your care team to figure out the underlying cause.

Reducing a Severe Vertigo Attack

• Stand up slowly.
• Sleep with your head elevated on an extra pillow.
• Turn your whole body, not just your head.
• Squat to pick up something; avoid bending at the waist.

If your vertigo becomes severe or is recurrent, it is time to see a doctor. Drop by AFC Urgent Care Knoxville to be seen quickly!