Giddiness & Vertigo

What is giddiness and vertigo?

Giddiness means different things to different people. It is very important for you to give an accurate description of your giddiness to the ENT Specialist so that a correct diagnosis can be made. Common descriptions for a patient who complains of giddiness include “light headed”, “drowsy”, “unstable”, “floating” or “the world or surrounding is spinning”. Vertigo is a type of giddiness where the patient feels that the world or surrounding is spinning or the patient himself/herself is spinning. Usually, patients with vertigo have a problem with the balancing system of the ear (vestibular system). However, some patients with non-vertiginous giddiness can also have problems with the vestibular system. Giddiness and vertigo have many causes and it is best that you get a full ENT assessment if you have worrisome or frequent giddiness. Amongst the common ENT causes of vertigo include:

1. Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (calcium deposits in the inner ear canal)
2. Vestibular neuronitis (inflammation or infection of the balance nerve)
3. Labyrinthitis (inflammation or infection of the balance organ of the ear)
4. Recurrent vestibulopathy (weakness of the balance organ of the ear)
5. Meniere’s disease (high pressure in the balance organ of the ear)