6 Myths and Facts About Vertigo

By Dr. Prateek Porwal, ENT Surgeon & Vertigo Specialist | PRIME ENT Center, Hardoi UP
Last Updated: February 2026 | VAI Budapest 2025 Award Recipient

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Vertigo—the sudden sensation that the room is spinning around you—is one of the most disorienting symptoms patients describe in my clinic at PRIME ENT Center. In my years as an ENT surgeon and vertigo specialist, I’ve noticed that myths about vertigo often prevent patients from seeking proper care. The confusion between vertigo and simple dizziness, the misconception that it’s always serious, or the belief that nothing can be done—these falsehoods keep people suffering longer than necessary. Let me separate myth from medical reality, based on what I see in patients every day.

Myth 1: Vertigo is always a sign of a serious health problem

I often see patients arriving at my clinic with anxiety, convinced they have a brain tumor or stroke because of spinning sensations. While it’s true that serious conditions—stroke, tumors, or neurological disease—can cause vertigo, the reality is that most people with vertigo have benign inner ear disorders.

Fact: Most vertigo cases are benign and treatable

In my practice, the majority of vertigo patients have treatable inner ear conditions. Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) alone accounts for nearly 50% of all vertigo cases I see. Vestibular neuritis, vestibular migraines, and inner ear infections like labyrinthitis are all common, manageable conditions. The key is getting a proper diagnosis—which is exactly why a comprehensive evaluation matters. Many of my patients feel tremendous relief when they learn their spinning sensation isn’t life-threatening and that treatment can work quickly.

Of course, severe or persistent vertigo always warrants medical evaluation to rule out serious causes. But the reassurance that comes from knowing most cases are benign? That’s often the first step toward recovery.

Myth 2: Vertigo and dizziness are the same thing

Patients often use these terms interchangeably in my clinic, which makes diagnosis harder. They’ll say, “Doctor, I’m dizzy,” but what they mean varies dramatically from person to person.

Fact: Vertigo is a specific type of dizziness

Vertigo is the false sensation that your body or surroundings are spinning—a rotational illusion. When I perform the Dix-Hallpike test, if it’s true vertigo, the patient’s eyes will involuntarily move in a specific pattern called nystagmus. That’s a sign of inner ear involvement.

Dizziness, on the other hand, is a broader umbrella. Patients describe it as lightheadedness, unsteadiness, fogginess in the head, or feeling faint. Dizziness can come from low blood pressure, anemia, blood sugar drops, anxiety, or medication side effects. In my clinic, I always ask the patient to describe exactly what they’re experiencing—because true vertigo (room spinning) needs different investigation and treatment than general dizziness (feeling lightheaded or unsteady).

Myth 3: Vertigo only affects older people

I see patients of all ages in my clinic—teenagers with vestibular migraine, young professionals with BPPV after a head bump, even children with vestibular disorders. Age is no barrier to vertigo.

Fact: Vertigo can strike at any age

While it’s true that vertigo becomes more common in people over 60—due to age-related changes in the inner ear—I’ve treated people in their twenties with severe, disabling vertigo. Young women often experience vestibular migraines that cause vertigo without a headache. Athletes get BPPV after head injuries. Children can develop vestibular neuritis after a viral infection.

The key point: anyone with persistent or severe vertigo deserves a proper evaluation, regardless of age. Delayed treatment can lead to falls, reduced quality of life, and secondary anxiety issues.

Myth 4: Vertigo cannot be treated

In 26 years of practice, one of the most rewarding moments is when a patient says, “Doctor, I thought I’d have to live with this forever.” They’re often surprised to learn that most vertigo responds well to treatment.

Fact: Most vertigo cases respond to treatment

Treatment depends on the underlying cause, but the outcomes are often excellent:

For BPPV, canalith repositioning maneuvers like the Epley maneuver work in 80-90% of cases. I’ve developed my own technique called the “Bangalore Maneuver” for complex BPPV cases that don’t respond to standard treatment, and the results have been impressive.

Vestibular rehabilitation therapy helps the brain compensate for inner ear imbalances through specific exercises. Many patients see improvement within weeks.

For anxiety-related dizziness, a combination of vestibular therapy and stress management works well. Even conditions like Meniere’s disease, which can be challenging, often improve with medication, lifestyle changes, and dietary modifications.

In my practice, very few patients leave without some form of improvement or at least a clear pathway forward.

Myth 5: Vertigo is always accompanied by hearing loss

Some patients come in asking if their hearing will deteriorate because of vertigo. It’s understandable—both symptoms can involve the inner ear. But it’s not always connected.

Fact: Vertigo can occur without hearing changes

BPPV, the most common cause of vertigo I treat, does not cause hearing loss. Your hearing remains perfectly normal. The same is true for most cases of vestibular neuritis and vestibular migraine.

However, certain inner ear conditions do affect both balance and hearing. Meniere’s disease causes vertigo, tinnitus (ringing), and fluctuating hearing loss together. So does labyrinthitis. This is why I always test hearing in my vertigo patients—to identify which type of disorder they have and to establish a baseline for monitoring.

The presence or absence of hearing changes is actually a valuable diagnostic clue.

Myth 6: Vertigo will resolve on its own without treatment

This is perhaps the most dangerous myth I encounter. While some viral causes of vertigo do resolve spontaneously over time, many patients suffer unnecessarily waiting for that to happen.

Fact: Early treatment significantly improves outcomes

In my experience, BPPV that goes untreated often becomes more entrenched. The patient’s brain doesn’t compensate properly, and they may develop secondary anxiety or avoidance behaviors. A simple Epley maneuver in my clinic—taking 10 minutes—might have saved months of suffering.

Delayed treatment of vertigo also increases fall risk, especially in older adults. Falls in the elderly can be life-changing: hip fractures, head trauma, loss of independence. Early intervention prevents these cascading complications.

My advice: if vertigo persists beyond a few days or keeps returning, don’t wait. Seek medical evaluation. Many cases can be diagnosed and treated in a single visit, and I can often rule out stroke or other serious causes quickly with simple bedside tests.

Why Medical Evaluation Matters

The damage these myths cause isn’t just delay—it’s suffering that could be prevented. Patients continue to avoid activities because they fear their vertigo is serious. They miss work. They withdraw socially. They develop secondary anxiety or depression from living with constant spinning sensations.

The reality is simpler: you deserve a diagnosis. With proper medical evaluation, most people with vertigo find relief. Some resolve completely, others learn to manage their symptoms, but improvement is almost always possible with the right approach.

What You Should Know

If you’re experiencing vertigo, here’s what matters:

• Vertigo is a symptom, not a diagnosis. Your doctor needs to find out what’s causing it.
• Most vertigo comes from benign inner ear conditions, not serious neurological disease.
• Early treatment often means faster, better outcomes.
• Many cases can be diagnosed and managed in one or two appointments.
• Multiple treatment options exist, and what doesn’t work can be tried differently.

The next time you feel the room spinning, remember: you’re not alone, it’s probably treatable, and there’s no reason to suffer in silence. Medicine has come far in understanding and managing vertigo. At PRIME ENT Center, I see it every day—people walking in with months of vertigo, and walking out with hope and a working treatment plan.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is vertigo always a sign of something serious?

No. While serious conditions can cause vertigo, most cases are benign inner ear disorders like BPPV, vestibular neuritis, or vestibular migraine. Proper medical evaluation helps rule out serious causes quickly.

What’s the difference between vertigo and dizziness?

Vertigo is a specific spinning sensation—true rotational illusion of self or surroundings. Dizziness is broader and includes lightheadedness, unsteadiness, and feeling faint from various causes.

Can vertigo be treated?

Yes. Treatment success depends on the cause. BPPV responds to repositioning maneuvers in 80-90% of cases. Vestibular rehabilitation helps most patients improve over weeks. Many cases see improvement in a single visit.

Is vertigo only in older adults?

No. While more common with age, vertigo affects people of all ages—young athletes, teenagers with migraines, even children can experience vertigo from infections or injury.

Does vertigo mean I’ll lose my hearing?

Not necessarily. BPPV and vestibular migraine do not cause hearing loss. However, some conditions like Meniere’s disease affect both balance and hearing, which is why hearing testing is part of the evaluation.

Should I wait for vertigo to go away on its own?

No. Early treatment prevents complications like falls, secondary anxiety, and prolonged disability. Many cases resolve or improve significantly with proper medical care.

When should I see a doctor for vertigo?

See a doctor if vertigo persists beyond a few days, keeps returning, is severe, or is accompanied by hearing loss, severe headache, vision changes, or weakness. Don’t wait if your quality of life is affected.

What happens at a vertigo evaluation?

I take a detailed history, perform a physical exam including specific balance and eye movement tests like the Dix-Hallpike test, and may order hearing tests or imaging if needed. Many diagnoses can be made in one visit.