They're not the same thing
Many people use "dizziness" and "vertigo" interchangeably, but they describe different sensations — and the distinction matters for diagnosis and treatment.
Vertigo is a specific sensation of spinning or rotational movement. You feel like you or the room around you is moving, even though you're standing still. It's often described as "the room is spinning." Vertigo is almost always related to the vestibular (inner ear) system.
Dizziness is a broader term that covers a range of sensations including lightheadedness, unsteadiness, feeling faint, or a "floating" feeling. Dizziness can be caused by many things — inner ear problems, blood pressure changes, anxiety, medication side effects, or dehydration.
How to tell the difference
| | Vertigo | Dizziness | |---|---|---| | Sensation | Spinning, rotational movement | Lightheadedness, unsteadiness, floating | | Duration | Seconds to hours (depends on cause) | Variable — can be constant or intermittent | | Triggers | Often head movements, position changes | Variable — standing up, stress, visual environments | | Nausea | Common during episodes | Less common | | Most common cause | Inner ear dysfunction (BPPV, vestibular neuritis) | Many possible causes |
Common causes of vertigo
- BPPV — displaced crystals in the inner ear (most common)
- Vestibular neuritis — inner ear inflammation following a viral infection
- Ménière's disease — episodic vertigo with hearing changes and tinnitus
- Vestibular migraine — migraine-related vertigo episodes
Common causes of dizziness
- Inner ear dysfunction — may overlap with vertigo causes
- Orthostatic hypotension — blood pressure drop when standing
- Anxiety and hyperventilation — can cause lightheadedness
- Medication side effects — many medications list dizziness as a side effect
- Dehydration — inadequate fluid intake
- Post-concussion syndrome — dizziness following head injury
Why the distinction matters
Knowing whether you have vertigo or dizziness helps your physiotherapist determine the right assessment approach. Vertigo strongly suggests a vestibular origin, which means specific vestibular tests (like the Dix-Hallpike test) can quickly identify the cause.
General dizziness may require a broader assessment to rule out non-vestibular causes before focusing on the inner ear.
When dizziness and vertigo overlap
It's common to experience both. For example, a person with BPPV may have true spinning vertigo during position changes, but also feel generally lightheaded or "off" between episodes. Post-concussion patients often describe a mix of dizziness, visual motion sensitivity, and occasional vertigo.
This overlap is one reason a thorough vestibular assessment matters. Rather than treating symptoms in isolation, your physiotherapist evaluates the full picture — eye movement patterns, balance, positional responses, and symptom triggers — to build a targeted plan.
Red flags: when to seek urgent care
Most dizziness and vertigo is benign and treatable through vestibular therapy. However, seek immediate medical attention if your dizziness or vertigo is accompanied by:
- Sudden severe headache unlike any you've had before
- Difficulty speaking or slurred speech
- Weakness or numbness on one side of the face or body
- Double vision or sudden vision loss
- Difficulty walking or loss of coordination
- Chest pain or rapid heartbeat
These symptoms may indicate a stroke or other neurological emergency and require immediate evaluation.
How vestibular therapy helps
Whether you're experiencing true vertigo or general dizziness, vestibular rehabilitation therapy offers effective, evidence-based treatment:
- For vertigo (especially BPPV) — repositioning manoeuvres like the Epley manoeuvre can resolve symptoms in as few as 1–3 visits
- For dizziness from vestibular neuritis — gaze stabilization exercises and habituation training help the brain compensate for inner ear damage
- For post-concussion dizziness — a graded return-to-activity program addressing vestibular, visual, and balance components
- For motion sensitivity — systematic desensitization to environments and movements that trigger symptoms
Treatment is tailored to the specific cause identified during your assessment.
Both are treatable
The good news: whether you're experiencing true vertigo or general dizziness, vestibular rehabilitation can help. At Burlington Vestibular Therapy, our assessment is designed to determine the exact cause of your symptoms — vertigo, dizziness, or a combination — and create a targeted treatment plan.
No referral is needed in Ontario. Book your vestibular assessment or call us at 905-635-5711.
Related reading: What to expect at your first visit · Do I need a referral in Ontario? · All conditions we treat