What is vertigo?

The correct definition of vertigo encompasses the sensation that you and your environment are moving or spinning. This distinction is important as vertigo is not merely a general feeling of dizziness or instability; it has a specific characteristic of false movement that can significantly affect balance and perception. Patients experiencing vertigo commonly describe the sensation as if the room is spinning around them, which can lead to disorientation and difficulty maintaining physical stability.

This understanding helps in distinguishing vertigo from other conditions. For instance, while dizziness alone may refer to a range of sensations from lightheadedness to feelings of imbalance, it does not convey the specific experience of rotational movement that defines vertigo. Similarly, a feeling of instability can accompany various conditions but doesn't pinpoint the unique aspect of movement associated with vertigo. Lastly, a loss of consciousness refers to a complete unawareness of one's surroundings, which is distinct and not related to the spinning sensation that characterizes vertigo.