Vertigo is a sensation of moving or spinning within stable surroundings, and it may be accompanied by loss of balance and nausea. Vertigo may last for a few moments, several hours, or even days. The person experiencing vertigo often describes the sensation as whirling or spinning. Vertigo is most common in elderly people, but can affect both sexes at any age.

Vertigo occurs most often due to an infection, particularly if the ear is involved. The causes of vertigo include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, thyroid disease, anemia, and calcium disorders.

Infectious diseases such as syphilis may also cause vertigo. Motion sickness is one of the commonest cause. Vision problems, head injury, insufficient blood supply to the brain and brain tumors can also result in vertigo. Drugs and alcohol. Viral infections affecting the inner ear (labyrinthitis) can cause vertigo that usually comes on suddenly and worsens over several hours. Cardiac conditions, from hardening of the arteries (arteriosclerosis) to hypertensive heart disease, may cause dizziness because of inefficient pumping of blood to the brain.