What is vertigo?

Vertigo is not a disease, but a symptom of another problem. It may involve dizziness, along with other features, particularly fluctuating hearing loss and ringing in the ears. These three conditions can indicate any number of possible conditions. One of the most common is Meniere's disease, a balance disorder caused by an overabundance of fluid in the semicircular canals. Stress, alcohol, caffeine and nicotine are contributing factors and should be avoided. Motion sickness drugs sometimes help, as does a low-salt diet. But there are many other possible causes for vertigo. Positional vertigo is caused by changes in the position of the head. Another possibility is swelling in the semicircular canals or the labyrinth that contains them. Consulting an ear, nose and throat specialist will help you find the underlying cause of your vertigo and suggest a cure.