How Long Does Vertigo Last?

If you've ever felt like the world around you was spinning while you stood still, you may have experienced vertigo. This condition can range in intensity from a mild dizzy sensation to knocking you off balance. It's different from being light-headed and comes in two primary forms: peripheral and central.

Peripheral vertigo is an inner ear problem, while central vertigo is linked to neurological issues. The severity and how long vertigo lasts depend on its underlying cause.

This article will explore some common causes of vertigo, its typical duration, and when to see a healthcare provider.

Vertigo Might Not Last That Long

You can develop a dizzying or spinning sensation for several reasons. If it happens after you've quickly changed positions, been on a boat or airplane, or experienced sudden shifts in elevation, the feeling is usually short-lived.

Benign positional vertigo (BPPV) is a peripheral type of vertigo and one of the most common varieties of this condition overall. With this type of vertigo, your inner ear canal becomes particularly sensitive to movement and sends exaggerated messages about your body's positioning and balance to your brain.

For most people with BPPV, episodes of vertigo are short-lived, lasting less than a minute in most cases. However, episodes of vertigo can come and go, with 15% to 20% of people with BPPV having repeated attacks within a year. About half of all people who develop BPPV see their vertigo symptoms disappear within one to three months, even without treatment.

Extreme and Recurring Vertigo

People with severe or recurrent vertigo because of an ongoing chronic condition like multiple sclerosis or a seizure disorder may have a more difficult time resolving feelings of spinning or movement.

About 90% of people with vertigo have the peripheral, short-lived version. People with chronic conditions that can cause central vertigo may find that symptoms come and go over time as the disease progresses, as is the case in people who have multiple sclerosis. Receiving treatment for the underlying condition that causes your vertigo may help to relieve your symptoms.

Underlying Causes of Vertigo

Various medical conditions and medications produce feelings of dizziness, but true vertigo is tied to several conditions grouped by whether you experience central or peripheral vertigo.

Peripheral Vertigo Causes

Peripheral vertigo results from a problem in the area of your inner ear that controls balance. Conditions that have been linked to peripheral vertigo include:

• BPPV
• Head injuries
• Inflammation or pressure on the vestibular nerve (neuritis)
• Irritation or inflammation of the inner ear (labyrinthitis)
• Ménière’s disease

Central Vertigo Causes

Central vertigo is caused by a problem in your brain stem or cerebellum (the area in the back of the head between the brain stem and cerebrum). The most common conditions linked to central vertigo include:

• Vascular (blood vessel) diseases
• Multiple sclerosis
• Seizures
• Stroke
• Brain tumors
• Migraines

Some seizure medications, aspirin, and even alcohol can also lead to problems with central vertigo.

Vertigo Symptoms

With either type of vertigo, it can be common to experience symptoms like:

• Dizziness
• Blurred or unfocused vision
• Hearing loss in one or both ears
• Tinnitus (ringing or other sounds in your ears)
• Balance problems or falls
• Nausea or vomiting

Other symptoms you may have—but usually only happen with central vertigo—include:

• Swallowing problems
• Double vision
• Facial paralysis
• Slurred speech
• Weakness in your arms or less
• Abnormal eye movements

Relief During a Vertigo Episode

Treating the underlying cause of central vertigo can help reduce symptoms, but your spinning sensation may not go away completely. With cases of central or peripheral vertigo, repositioning maneuvers can sometimes bring relief.

The Epley maneuver is one way to relieve symptoms of vertigo. It's typically used for peripheral vertigo and is only effective for BPPV. when c Calcium deposits break free in the inner ear and move around the inner ear, giving abnormal messages about movement and balance to the brain. A repositioning maneuver aims to get the calcium deposits to shift within the inner ear so that they are no longer causing a problem.

The Epley maneuver includes the following steps:

1. Sit upright.
2. Tilt your head back slightly.
3. Move your head slightly in the direction of the affected ear.
4. Lie on your back, with your head still facing the affected side.
5. Remain in this position for about 30 seconds.
6. Now, turn your head in the opposite direction, tilting it back slightly.
7. Hold this position for 30 seconds.
8. Next, turn your entire body in the opposite direction of the affected ear, moving your head with your body until you face the floor.
9. Hold this position for 30 seconds.
10. End this exercise by returning to an upright sitting position.
    

Should You Get a Vertigo Diagnosis?

If you have repeated episodes of vertigo that can't be explained by another condition like stroke or multiple sclerosis, consider making an appointment to see a healthcare provider. An official vertigo diagnosis may help providers rule out other conditions or identify underlying problems.

If the cause of your vertigo is another condition, such as a stroke, seizures, or multiple sclerosis, treatment of these problems may help to alleviate symptoms of vertigo.

Summary

For most people with vertigo, the spinning sensation lasts a few seconds to several minutes and usually goes away without treatment. People with recurring vertigo may have severe problems in the inner ear canal or brain, or have another medical condition contributing to the problem.

If you have vertigo that comes and goes frequently or is so severe that it causes you to fall, you should make an appointment to see a healthcare provider.