The Ministry of Health provided recommendations on March 25 for distinguishing between dizziness and vertigo, emphasizing the importance of recognizing warning signs to prevent complications with the ear.
This information is relevant because many people may experience sensations such as instability or a spinning room, which can be early signals related to the body’s balance system. Understanding these symptoms can help individuals seek timely medical attention and avoid more serious health issues.
Sara Antayhua Ortiz, an otolaryngologist at Hospital Nacional Docente Madre Niño San Bartolomé, said that dizziness often feels like instability or seeing lights and sometimes losing balance. In contrast, she said vertigo is “purely a sensation of spinning, as if things around people are turning,” mainly caused by problems in the inner ear.
Antayhua Ortiz explained that the most common cause for seeking care is Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo. She said this occurs when small particles called otoliths move out of their usual place in the inner ear’s semicircular canals, causing episodes of positional vertigo. “This type of vertigo is the most frequent, lasts seconds and is associated with head movements and is produced by particles (otoliths) that spin in the inner ear,” she said.
She also noted it is important to watch for ringing or buzzing sounds in the ears along with spinning sensations. The presence of these noises may suggest inflammation has affected other parts of the inner ear or indicate conditions such as Ménière’s disease.
Antayhua Ortiz recommended maintaining an upright position and focusing on a fixed point during an episode of vertigo while avoiding sudden head movements. She warned that older adults experiencing sudden vertigo should be especially careful since it could signal a cerebral infarction. In cases where dizziness comes with double vision, loss of sensation in any part of the body, or changes in consciousness, immediate emergency care should be sought.
The Ministry advises anyone experiencing persistent dizziness or vertigo to visit a nearby health center for specialized evaluation or call 113 for more information.
