Skip to main content

What Is Vertigo? Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Costs

Various disorders can cause vertigo, but this uncomfortable spinning sensation is treatable. Learn more about the different causes, symptoms and treatment options for vertigo, including associated costs.

Written by Robyn Tellefsen

Posted August 23, 2024

Have you ever tilted your head and suddenly felt like the room was spinning around you? You could be one of the nearly 40% of U.S. adults who have experienced vertigo.1 This unpleasant condition is two to three times more common in women than men, and prevalence increases with age — but vertigo can affect all ages and genders.2

Keep reading to learn more about this common health problem, including different causes, treatment options and costs.

What Is Vertigo?

Vertigo is the false sensation that you’re spinning — or that the world is spinning around you — when you’re actually sitting or standing still.3 This illusion can make you feel dizzy and nauseated.3 Note that vertigo is not a disease; rather, it can be a symptom of various illnesses and disorders.4

Types of Vertigo

There are two main types of vertigo:5

  • Peripheral vertigo
  • Central vertigo

Here’s a quick overview of some key differences between the two:5

Peripheral vertigo Central vertigo
Caused by a problem in the inner ear Caused by a problem in the brain
Triggered by sudden changes in head position or movement Not affected by head position and movement
Symptoms appear suddenly Symptoms develop gradually
Symptoms may be severe Symptoms are typically mild but constant
Coordination is not usually affected May include a loss of coordination
More common than central vertigo More serious than peripheral vertigo4

What Causes Vertigo?

Vertigo is typically caused by a problem with the vestibular system, which includes the inner ear, vestibular nerve, brain stem and cerebellum. This sensory system is responsible for regulating balance and the body’s orientation in space.1

Causes of peripheral vertigo

Peripheral vertigo may be caused by:1

  • Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV): This happens when small calcium deposits (canaliths) break free in the canals of your inner ear, sending confusing messages to your brain about the position of your body and causing a sensation of spinning.5 BPPV is the most common cause of vertigo; episodes typically last less than a minute.
  • Ménière’s disease: This disease results from an imbalance of fluids in the inner ear, causing tinnitus, low-frequency hearing loss and vertigo episodes that can last for minutes or hours.
  • Labyrinthitis: This is an inflammation of the inner ear that results from a viral or bacterial infection, causing vertigo episodes that can last for hours or days.

Causes of central vertigo

Central vertigo may be caused by:6

  • Tumors
  • Head trauma3
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Stroke
  • Transient ischemic attack (TIA)1
  • Vestibular migraine

A migraine or TIA can cause a single episode of vertigo that lasts minutes or hours, while a stroke can cause a more prolonged episode.2

Vertigo Symptoms

The main symptom of vertigo is the sensation that you or your surroundings are spinning. Other symptoms may include:6

If you have central vertigo, additional symptoms may include:6

  • Blurred vision1
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Difficulty walking1
  • Facial paralysis
  • Slurred speech
  • Weakness and numbness1

Diagnosing Vertigo

If you’re experiencing vertigo, it’s important to see your doctor for an evaluation.5 The doctor will review all your symptoms, take a thorough medical history and complete a physical exam to determine whether you have central or peripheral vertigo.2 The physical exam may involve holding your head in a certain position while the doctor looks for abnormal eye movements.2

Typically, no additional tests are needed to diagnose peripheral vertigo. However, your doctor may order an MRI or CT scan of your brain if central vertigo is suspected.4

Vertigo Treatments and Costs

Vertigo treatment options depend on the diagnosis and may include head rotation maneuvers, physical therapy and medication.2 In rare cases, surgery may be recommended.3

Here’s a quick summary of common vertigo treatments and costs:

Treatment Description Average Cost
Physical therapy For persistent vertigo4 $75 to $100 per session7
Medication For acute episodes of vertigo; meclizine is the most common antihistamine prescribed2 $11 for eight 25-milligram tablets8

Head rotation maneuvers

Head rotation maneuvers are the primary treatment for BPPV.2 A simple series of head movements can displace the tiny floating crystals to a different part of your inner ear, where they won’t cause vertigo symptoms.5

The most common method is called the Epley maneuver, which a doctor can perform as an in-office treatment.4 They can also teach you to perform the maneuver at home if symptoms recur.2

However, many people experience immediate relief after the initial Epley maneuver, and may never have symptoms again.5 Ask your provider if this might be a viable treatment option for you.

Physical therapy

If you’re experiencing more persistent vertigo, your doctor may recommend vestibular rehabilitation.4 This is a specialized type of physical therapy designed to improve your balance and strengthen your muscles to help prevent falls.6 By strengthening your vestibular system, this treatment can help decrease symptoms of vertigo.7

The average cost of vestibular rehabilitation is $75 to $100 per one-hour session (with one or two sessions per week for four to eight weeks), which may be covered by insurance.7

Medication

If you’re experiencing acute episodes of vertigo that last a few hours or days, your doctor may prescribe medication to help reduce your symptoms. The primary medications used to relieve vertigo symptoms include antihistamines, benzodiazepines and antiemetics. Meclizine is the most commonly prescribed antihistamine for vertigo and can be particularly useful in treating episodes caused by Ménière’s disease.2

The average cost of meclizine for cash-paying customers is $11 for a supply of eight 25-milligram tablets.8

How Can You Prevent Vertigo?

There’s no way to prevent the first episode of vertigo.4 However, low levels of vitamin D may increase the incidence of vertigo — particularly BPPV — so try to get enough vitamin D from sources such as sunlight and seafood.9 It’s also a good idea to drink more water and less alcohol, limit your sugar intake and review medication guides for side effects like dizziness.10

To help prevent symptoms from getting worse during an episode of vertigo, sit or lie down, avoid bright lights and don’t try to read. Gradually resume activity once symptoms have subsided. And, to be on the safe side, avoid driving and operating heavy machinery until you’ve been symptom-free for about a week.6

Frequently Asked Questions About Vertigo

Want to know more about vertigo? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions.

Icon Question Mark
Icon Question Mark
Icon Question Mark
Icon Question Mark
Icon Question Mark

Managing Health and Wellness Costs With the CareCredit Credit Card

If you are looking for an option to help manage your health and wellness costs, consider financing with the CareCredit credit card. The CareCredit credit card can help you pay for the care you want and need and make payments easy to manage.* Use our Acceptance Locator to find a provider near you that accepts CareCredit. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

Your CareCredit credit card can be used in so many ways within the CareCredit network including vision, dentistry, cosmetic, pet care, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases and spa treatments. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?

Author Bio

Robyn Tellefsen is a freelance writer and editor with more than 20 years of experience covering health and wellness, finance and more. Her work has appeared on sites such as Beachside Rehab, Wayfair, LoopNet, First Horizon Bank, SoFi, A Place for Mom, American Express, Chase and others.

* Subject to credit approval.

The information, opinions and recommendations expressed in the article are for informational purposes only. Information has been obtained from sources generally believed to be reliable. However, because of the possibility of human or mechanical error by our sources, or any other, Synchrony and any of its affiliates, including CareCredit, (collectively, “Synchrony”) does not provide any warranty as to the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of any information for its intended purpose or any results obtained from the use of such information. The data presented in the article was current as of the time of writing. Please consult with your individual advisors with respect to any information presented.

© 2024 Synchrony Bank.

Sources:

1 “Vertigo,” UCSF Health. Accessed April 23, 2024. Retrieved from: https://www.ucsfhealth.org/conditions/vertigo

2 Stanton, Monica and Freeman, Andrew M. “Vertigo,” National Library of Medicine. March 13, 2023. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482356/

3 “Vertigo,” University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics. Accessed April 23, 2024. Retrieved from: https://uihc.org/services/vertigo

4 “Vertigo,” Harvard Health Publishing. February 9, 2024. Retrieved from: https://www.health.harvard.edu/a_to_z/vertigo-a-to-z

5 “Is vertigo a sign of serious illness?” University Hospitals. November 18, 2022. Retrieved from: https://www.uhhospitals.org/blog/articles/2022/11/is-vertigo-a-sign-of-serious-illness

6 Campellone, Joseph V. “Vertigo,” Penn Medicine. November 9, 2021. Retrieved from: https://www.pennmedicine.org/for-patients-and-visitors/patient-information/conditions-treated-a-to-z/vertigo

7 “Vestibular rehabilitation,” PT Solutions. Accessed April 23, 2024. Retrieved from: https://ptsolutions.com/services/vestibular-rehab/

8 “Meclizine prices, coupons and patient assistance programs,” Drugs.com. Accessed April 23, 2024. Retrieved from: https://www.drugs.com/price-guide/meclizine

9 Walton, Dale. “Understanding vertigo and how to make it stop,” Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health. March 17, 2023. Retrieved from: https://www.lancastergeneralhealth.org/health-hub-home/2023/march/understanding-vertigo-and-how-to-make-it-stop

10 Gerstin, Gregg. “Vertigo prevention: How to stop vertigo and ensure it stays gone,” Align Wellness Center. Accessed April 23, 2024. Retrieved from: https://alignwc.com/vertigo-prevention-how-stop-vertigo-ensure-stays-gone/

11 “Vertigo, dizziness and chiropractic treatment,” Isis Chiropractic Centres. Accessed April 23, 2024. Retrieved from: https://www.isischiropractic.co.uk/conditions-symptoms/vertigo-dizziness-and-chiropractic-treatment/

12 “Ear wax and vertigo,” Earworx. Accessed April 25, 2024. Retrieved from: https://www.earworx.com.au/ear-health/ear-wax-and-vertigo/