Some individuals experience vertigo accompanied by nausea, but what could be causing this?
Causes
According to the German Society of General Practice/Family Medicine, this combination of symptoms can stem from several factors, including:
Benign positional vertigo, caused by small crystals in the inner ear.
Persistent vertigo, often due to acute failure of the vestibular system in the inner ear.
Ménière’s disease, which results from an excess of lymphatic fluid in the inner ear, leading to episodic vertigo.
Motion sickness, such as sea or car sickness.
Vestibular episode, a rare condition believed to occur when blood vessels press on the vestibular nerve in the ear.
Vestibular migraine, a form of migraine affecting balance.
Circulatory problems, which may disrupt balance.
Acoustic or vestibular nerve tumours.
Heart diseases, such as coronary artery disease, which restricts blood flow to the heart.
Determining the Cause
To accurately determine the underlying cause of vertigo and nausea, the following questions should be considered:
How does the vertigo feel? (e.g., like being on a rocking boat)
When does the vertigo occur?
How long does it last?
Are there any accompanying symptoms, such as headaches or hearing problems?
The treatment for vertigo accompanied by nausea depends on the diagnosed cause and can range from exercises to medication or, in some cases, surgery.
