Vertigo is the sensation of motion or spinning that's often described as dizziness, and the spinning sensation can provoke nausea and vomiting in some individuals. There are many vertigo-related disorders, and MedlinePlus, a health information website from the National Institutes of Health, states that the prognosis or outlook for vertigo-related disorders depends on the cause of the disease.
Vestibular Neuritis
According to the Vestibular Disorders Association, or VDA, vestibular neuritis, also known as labyrinthitis, is caused by an infection that inflames the vestibulo-cochlear, or eighth, cranial nerve which links the inner ear to the brain. MedlinePlus states that there are many possible causes of vestibular neuritis, including excessive alcohol consumption, fatigue, allergies, smoking, stress and certain medications, and that it often occurs after an ear infection such as otitis media, or an upper respiratory tract infection. Common symptoms associated with vestibular neuritis include vertigo or a spinning sensation, uncontrolled eye movements and difficulty focusing the eyes, dizziness, hearing impairment in one ear, loss of balance and falls, nausea and vomiting, and tinnitus, or ringing in the ears.
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo
MayoClinic.com states that benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, or BPPV, is one of the most common causes of vertigo, and that it's characterized by short bouts of mild to severe dizziness. Common symptoms associated with BPPV include dizziness, lightheadedness, unsteadiness, balance problems, blurred vision, and nausea and vomiting. BPPV symptoms are provoked by specific changes in a person's head position, and although BPPV can be annoying, it's usually not a serious health concern unless it leads to falls. MayoClinic.com also notes that BPPV is often accompanied by nystagmus, or unusual rhythmic eye movements, and that although BPPV typically occurs in one ear, it can occur in both ears--a condition called bilateral BPPV.
Migraine
Migraine is a neurological syndrome or disease that can cause dizziness and nausea. According to the National Headache Foundation, or NHF, migraines affect more than 29.5 million Americans, and are about three times more common in women than men. Migraine attacks are often triggered by a precipitating factor such as a change in a person's sleep-wake cycle, skipping meals, certain medications, bright lights, fluorescent lights, certain foods, excessive noise and stress. The NHF states that common symptoms associated with migraine include severe, throbbing pain on one side of the head, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, sensitivity to light and sound, visual changes or "auras," and increased pain with activities such as climbing stairs. Migraine-related pain is typically felt around the eye or the temple, although pain can also occur in the face, sinuses, jaw or neck.
