Dizziness vs Vertigo: Why Nystagmus Matters

When patients walk into our clinic saying they feel "dizzy," that one word can mean very different things. Some describe feeling lightheaded or unsteady. Others report that the entire room is spinning around them. While these experiences might seem similar, they point to completely different underlying causes—and require different treatment approaches.

Understanding the difference between dizziness and vertigo isn't just medical semantics. It's the key to getting the right diagnosis, the right treatment, and potentially identifying a medical emergency before it's too late.

What Is the Difference Between Dizziness and Vertigo?

Vertigo is a specific type of dizziness characterized by a false sense that you or your surroundings are moving or spinning, even when everything is perfectly still. It's not just feeling "off balance"—it's an illusion of motion that can be so intense it causes nausea and vomiting.

Dizziness is a broader term that encompasses several sensations: lightheadedness (like you might faint), unsteadiness or imbalance, a floating or "woozy" feeling, and feeling disconnected from your surroundings.

The critical physical sign that distinguishes true vertigo from general dizziness is nystagmus—involuntary, rhythmic eye movements that occur when your brain receives conflicting balance signals from your inner ears.

Understanding Nystagmus: The Key Diagnostic Clue

Your vestibular system relies on both inner ears sending matching information to your brain about your head position and movement. When one side sends different signals than the other, your brain gets confused. This mismatch causes your eyes to drift slowly in one direction, then rapidly snap back to center—that's nystagmus.

Think of it like your brain's error message. The direction, speed, and pattern of these eye movements tell clinicians exactly where the problem originates.

Peripheral vertigo (inner ear problems) typically produces: horizontal or rotational nystagmus, nystagmus that decreases over time, symptoms that worsen with head movement, and intense spinning sensation.

Central causes (brain or brainstem issues) may show: vertical nystagmus or direction-changing nystagmus, nystagmus that doesn't fade, symptoms present even when holding still, and often no nystagmus at all despite feeling dizzy.

This last point is crucial: dizziness without nystagmus should raise concern for a central neurological cause.

The "5 D's" and Central Stroke Warning Signs

You may have heard about the "5 D's" in relation to dizziness or vertigo. These neurological warning signs include: Dizziness (but typically not spinning vertigo), Diplopia (double vision), Dysarthria (slurred or difficult speech), Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), and Dysmetria (poor coordination, missing targets when reaching).

Here's where many AI-generated summaries get it wrong: these symptoms usually occur with dizziness, not vertigo. Central causes like brainstem or cerebellar strokes typically present with a vague dizzy feeling—not the room-spinning sensation—because nystagmus is often absent or atypical.

If you experience dizziness along with any of these other "D" symptoms, seek emergency medical care immediately. This combination suggests a possible stroke or other serious neurological event.

When Dizziness Without Nystagmus Points to Something Serious

One of the most important diagnostic principles: if a patient feels dizzy but has no nystagmus, consider a central cause.

Conditions that may cause dizziness without nystagmus include: posterior circulation stroke (affecting blood flow to the brainstem or cerebellum), multiple sclerosis, brainstem lesions or tumors, cerebellar disorders, medication side effects, and cardiovascular issues (low blood pressure, heart rhythm problems).

Patients describe this sensation as feeling "off," unsteady, or like they're floating—not spinning. These cases require immediate medical evaluation because delayed diagnosis can have serious consequences.

Common Inner Ear Causes of True Vertigo

When nystagmus is present and vertigo is confirmed, the most common causes are inner ear problems that respond well to vestibular rehabilitation.

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): The most common cause of vertigo, occurring when tiny calcium crystals in the inner ear become dislodged. Brief episodes of spinning triggered by specific head positions. Highly treatable with repositioning maneuvers.

Vestibular Neuritis: Inflammation of the vestibular nerve, often after a viral infection. Causes sudden, severe vertigo that gradually improves over days to weeks.

Labyrinthitis: Similar to vestibular neuritis but also affects hearing. Patients experience vertigo plus hearing loss or tinnitus in one ear.

Ménière's Disease: Episodes of vertigo lasting hours, accompanied by fluctuating hearing loss, tinnitus, and ear fullness.

These conditions, while uncomfortable, are not life-threatening and can be effectively managed with specialized physical therapy techniques.

How We Evaluate Dizziness and Vertigo

At Spectrum Therapeutics of NJ, a comprehensive vestibular assessment includes several key components.

Detailed History: We ask about symptom onset, triggers, duration, and associated symptoms. Did it start suddenly or gradually? Does head movement make it worse? Have you noticed hearing changes?

Eye Movement Testing: We observe for nystagmus in different positions and with different head movements. The presence, direction, and behavior of nystagmus guides our diagnosis.

Positional Testing: Specific maneuvers like the Dix-Hallpike test help identify BPPV and other positional vertigo causes.

Balance and Coordination Assessment: We evaluate your ability to maintain balance with eyes open and closed, test coordination, and analyze your gait pattern.

Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex (VOR) Testing: Specialized tests that assess how well your eyes and inner ear work together to maintain stable vision during head movement.

This systematic approach helps us differentiate between peripheral (inner ear) and central (brain) causes, ensuring you receive appropriate care or prompt referral if needed.

Treatment Approaches: Inner Ear vs. Central Causes

For Peripheral Vestibular Problems: Vestibular rehabilitation is highly effective and may include: canalith repositioning maneuvers for BPPV (like the Epley maneuver), gaze stabilization exercises to retrain the vestibulo-ocular reflex, balance training to improve stability and reduce fall risk, and habituation exercises to reduce motion sensitivity.

Most patients with inner ear vertigo see significant improvement within a few weeks of targeted therapy.

For Central or Unclear Causes: We coordinate with your physician for appropriate imaging (MRI) and neurological evaluation. Some dizziness related to central causes also benefits from balance retraining and vestibular therapy, but only after serious conditions are ruled out.

When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention

Go to the emergency room or call 911 if you experience: sudden, severe dizziness or vertigo with new headache, dizziness with slurred speech or difficulty speaking, double vision or vision loss, facial drooping or numbness, weakness or numbness in arms or legs, severe difficulty walking or loss of coordination, difficulty swallowing, loss of consciousness, or chest pain or severe shortness of breath.

These symptoms may indicate a stroke, heart problem, or other medical emergency requiring immediate intervention.

The Bottom Line

The distinction between vertigo and dizziness isn't just medical jargon—it's a critical diagnostic tool that can mean the difference between treating a benign inner ear problem and identifying a life-threatening stroke.

Remember these key points: Vertigo equals illusion of spinning motion, confirmed by nystagmus. Dizziness without nystagmus may indicate a central (brain) cause. The "5 D's" are warning signs of possible stroke—seek immediate care. Most peripheral vertigo responds excellently to vestibular rehabilitation. When in doubt, get evaluated—early diagnosis saves lives.

If you're experiencing dizziness, vertigo, or balance problems, don't wait. A proper assessment can identify the cause and get you on the path to recovery.

Get Expert Vestibular Care in Wayne, NJ

At Spectrum Therapeutics of NJ, we specialize in diagnosing and treating vestibular disorders. Our team uses evidence-based assessment techniques to determine whether your symptoms stem from the inner ear or require further medical evaluation. We offer same-day and next-day appointments to get you answers quickly.

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Medical Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical evaluation. If you suspect a stroke or neurological emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.