Can I actually get Vertigo?

It might seem like something of an odd question, but in reality it's not. It's quite a common occurrence that anyone presenting with dizziness-like symptoms, particularly if they're severe or have led to a fall that they are diagnosed with vertigo. Problem is, you can't actually get vertigo. Not as a condition.

Let me explain.

You can, without a shadow of a doubt, experience vertigo.

It can be debilitating, intense and downright suck.

But the truth is, it's not a condition, it's a symptom. Like pain, or fatigue. It's a sign of something happening, an underlying condition which is causing processes within the body leading to the sensation of vertigo. It's often why we look at vertigo as distinct from dizziness, as I discussed here. Mainly due to the fact that dizziness and all of it's variants have a very broad range of conditions which can be the cause, whereas vertigo is specific to around 10 or so conditions, the majority of which are inner ear related.

So whilst, yes, you can be experiencing vertigo, recognising that fact is simply the first step in the diagnostic process. From there, establishing an underlying diagnosis, a root cause, is crucial in the correct treatment and management. Most of these conditions are managed quite differently. For example, trying to do repositioning manoeuvres, which are very commonly given out to many with vertigo, are only going to have a positive effect if you have BPPV. They will have little effect on other vertigo conditions and in most cases are just going to make you feel worse.

And while it may seem like quibbling over terminology, it's actually quite important. The main reason for this is a lot of people who get that initial diagnosis of vertigo don't get given the opportunity to look further. They are left with a "diagnosis" of vertigo, and either told there is not much that can be done, or they are trying generic treatments without any real sense of what they are trying to treat, uncertain where to go or what their long-term prognosis is. Sometimes what they are experiencing isn't vertigo at all, it's strong dizziness, or something completely unrelated.

And it still happens. It happened to someone I know the day before I wrote this. They were in hospital and essentially told there was nothing that could be done and they'd have to wait it out till it passed or live with it.

So it is important. Because it's important for the person receiving the care. That they get the right care.

And it's important for us as clinicians and health professionals - for us to be able to do better.