Vestibular Symptoms: Master Common Symptoms of 5 Major Vestibular Disorders

Vestibular Symptoms: Master Common Symptoms of 5 Major Vestibular Disorders

Vestibular symptoms can be confusing, as so many people with the same (and correctly made) diagnosis can present with a different set of symptoms. This blog post will go over an extensive, but not exhaustive list of vestibular symptoms, as well as discuss five of the major vestibular disorders and what is reported in practice and Vestibular Group Fit often.

What are Common Vestibular Symptoms?

There can be a surprisingly long list of symptoms that can be associated with vestibular disorders. These can have quite a bit of overlap between conditions, as they all impact the vestibular system. Below is a list of commonly reported symptoms of those with vestibular conditions. This can be helpful information to getting to a provider trained and experienced in vestibular conditions.

These symptoms alone cannot diagnose a vestibular condition. Additional testing and learning about how the condition acts is important information to help with timely and accurate diagnosis. More on this here and here.

Common Vestibular Symptoms Based on Diagnosis

This section will cover some common and less common vestibular diagnoses. Symptoms reported in this section can sometimes aid providers in identifying distinguishing factors to help with proper diagnosis and intervention. First we will dive in with BPPV, Meniere’s Disease, Vestibular Migraine, Vestibular Neuritis and Labyrinthitis, and PPPD or Persistent Postural Perceptual Disorder.

Vestibular Symptoms: BPPV

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is one of the most common causes of dizziness. This vestibular condition has external spinning or room spinning vertigo. This is commonly in connection to head or body position. People tend to most notice this when getting in or out of bed, or turning in bed. Others will report this when looking up to reach for an item on a higher shelf or tilting head back to wash their hair in the shower. Bending down to tie shoes, reach for an item in the fridge, or grabbing an item from the ground is also something that is reported.

Nausea can accompany BPPV. Typically symptoms of spinning last under 60 seconds and most people feel relatively like their typical self. Some may have lingering nausea or motion sensitivity depending on the case.

Vestibular Symptoms: Meniere’s Disease

Meniere’s disease is a chronic condition involving episodes lasting hours to days of vertigo. Additional symptoms include tinnitus, fluctuating hearing loss, and feelings of ear pressure or fullness. Symptoms can last hours to day and sometimes people report a “whoosh” or “roar” just prior to severe symptoms presenting. In addition, nausea and vomiting accompany attacks.

Vestibular Symptoms: Vestibular Migraine

Vestibular migraine is a migraine condition that involves the vestibular system. A headache is NOT needed in order to have vestibular migraine. Check out the diagnostic criteria for vestibular migraine and other vestibular conditions in one convenient spot here. Vestibular migraine attacks can last hours to days with internal or external, spinning or non spinning vertigo. People may experience an aura prior to an attack but not all. Sound, smell, or noise sensitivity may occur.

BPPV, Vestibular Migraine and Meniere’s Disease can be hard to tease apart sometimes, here’s a blog post that goes more into this here.

Vestibular Symptoms: Vestibular Neuritis and Labrynthitis

Vestibular neuritis and labyrinthitis both involve inflammation and can lead to one sided weakness or hypofunction. They tend to present very similar with the area of inflammation being the differing factor. Sudden vertigo lasting hours to days with nausea and vomiting. Typically people feel like things slowly improve but still feel “off”. Visual motion sensitivity and trouble with faster movements or turns of the head or body are common.

Vestibular Symptoms: Persistent Postural Perceptual Disorder (PPPD)

Persistent postural perceptual disorder has a preceding event, typically another vestibular condition. This may not always be the case but it is important to go over this with a provider experienced in PPPD. It is important to address the underlying vestibular condition as well as PPPD. PPPD tends to wax and wane, with fluctuations over the course of a day or days. Being upright tends to be worse as well as busy visuals such as crowded environments or quick movements on screens. Some describe this as “background noise” or “background dizziness”.

Additional Vestibular Conditions and Reported Symptoms

Below is listed some additional vestibular conditions and some characteristics that help providers with proper testing, diagnosing and further intervention.

In Conclusion

The vestibular system can be a source of far ranging symptoms that can vary person to person. It’s important to have other conditions and body involvement ruled out while working towards a vestibular diagnosis. Having descriptions for symptoms and their characteristics is important for a correct and timely diagnosis. This isn’t always easy, don’t lose hope!

Ready to Take the Next Step Towards Healing?

If you’re looking for a supportive, expert-led space to help you regain confidence, reduce symptoms, and rebuild your life after a vestibular diagnosis, join us in Vestibular Group Fit.

This unique coaching program combines movement, education, nervous system retraining, and community — all designed specifically for people living with vestibular disorders. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or have been struggling for years, you are not alone and you can feel better.

👉Click here to join Vestibular Group Fit and starting your healing journey today.