Vertigo can be described as a sensation in which the environment around you begins to spin, and will make you feel quite dizzy and feel off-balance. While vertigo is not a disease, it is a symptom of a which range of varying conditions. There are two different types of vertigo a patient can go through: Peripheral vertigo Peripheral vertigo occurs when there is an issue with the inner ear. Central vertigo Central vertigo occurs when there is an issue with the brain. A few causes of central vertigo include brain tumors, traumatic brain injury, stroke, or infection. There are a few different syndromes and conditions that can result in vertigo to occur, including: Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is one of the most common causes of vertigo to occur. It is often triggered by a change within the head’s positioning. Patients who suffer from BPPV will often experience it when laying down, turning over in bed, or sitting up. Meniere’s disease Meniere’s disease is a condition that causes fluids to build up inside of the ear, this is essentially what leads to vertigo attacks. Labyrinthitis The inner ear has what is called a labyrinth, if it becomes inflamed or infected, it leads to what is known as labyrinthitis. Vestibular neuritis Vestibular neuritis occurs when there is an inflammation of the vestibular nerve which can cause vertigo to occur. Cholesteatoma Cholesteatoma occurs when the patient deals with repeated ear infections, which causes noncancerous growths to develop within the middle ear. Other factors that can also cause vertigo to occur include: - Migraine headaches - Certain medications - Stroke - Arrhythmia - Diabetes - Head injuries - Prolonged bed rest - Shingles (either within the ear or near the ear) - Ear surgery - Perilymphatic fistula - Hyperventilation - Low blood pressure - Muscle weakness - Syphilis - Otosclerosis - Brain disease - Multiple sclerosis - Acoustic neuroma