Dizziness and vertigo

Dizziness and vertigo are two slightly different things. Vertigo is a type of dizziness were you get the feeling that you are spinning or rotating (or that your surroundings are spinning around you), even though you aren’t moving. It can make some people feel nauseous. Dizziness is the term people often use to describe various sensations such as fainting or feeling off-balance.

Vertigo can last for varying amounts of time – it may only be seconds or minutes, but in some cases it could last days or weeks. How long it lasts will depend on what’s causing your vertigo and if it’s related to your MS or something else.

Read on to find out more about what causes dizziness and vertigo and how to manage these symptoms.

Vertigo in MS is caused by nerve damage in the part of the brain involved with balance. But MS might not be the only reason behind vertigo. Other common causes include migraines and problems with your ears, such as ear infections.

Read on to find out about ways to manage vertigo and dizziness.

If you’re experiencing feelings of dizziness and vertigo, there are some treatments that can help:

• Anti-nausea medications: these treatments may help if vertigo is causing you to feel nauseous
• Physiotherapy: a physiotherapist can work out if certain ways of holding/positioning your head are making your vertigo worse. They can then give you exercises to help you cope when your head is in those positions

Remember, it’s important to talk to your healthcare team if you start experiencing dizziness or vertigo. You should provide a detailed description of your experience of vertigo, including exactly how long it lasts and how often you get it. This will help them work out whether it’s caused by your MS or something else, and to help find the right treatment for you.