This site uses cookies. Some of these cookies are essential to the operation of the site, while others help to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used. For more information, please see the ProZ.com privacy policy.
Cookie settings
  1. KudoZ™ Top
  2. English
  3. Medical (general)

dizziness vs. vertigo

English translation: vertigo implies a spinning sensation

14:21 Mar 21, 2011
English language (monolingual) [PRO]
Medical - Medical (general) / side effects
English term or phrase: dizziness vs. vertigo
I was always under impression that the terms are synonymous, but they are both listed as side effects of a medicin, with different occurence rates

Is there any difference?
Michal Berski
Poland
Local time: 11:47
Selected answer:vertigo implies a spinning sensation
Explanation:
Anyone can be dizzy or lightheaded for a variety of reasons, but vertigo is more severe and usually implies a spinning sensation. You might, for example, feel that the room is spinning around you. In severe cases, it is like being on a carnival ride that does not stop and often causes one to vomit uncontrollably. A lot of times, vertigo is caused by an inner ear condition like Meniere's Disease or Labyrinthitis. I have relatives with Meniere's, and they have told me what it feels like to "spin" in this manner. It is totally different from the dizziness one might feel due to the flu or other common condition.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 14 mins (2011-03-21 14:36:08 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

To clarify, vertigo is a severe form of dizziness but is not synonymous with dizziness.
Selected response from:

Arabic & More
Jordan
Grading comment
Thank you
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
4 +12vertigo implies a spinning sensation
Arabic & More
Summary of reference entries provided
vertigo from 2 medical sources
Stephanie Ezrol

Discussion entries: 6





  

Answers


7 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +12
vertigo implies a spinning sensation


Explanation:
Anyone can be dizzy or lightheaded for a variety of reasons, but vertigo is more severe and usually implies a spinning sensation. You might, for example, feel that the room is spinning around you. In severe cases, it is like being on a carnival ride that does not stop and often causes one to vomit uncontrollably. A lot of times, vertigo is caused by an inner ear condition like Meniere's Disease or Labyrinthitis. I have relatives with Meniere's, and they have told me what it feels like to "spin" in this manner. It is totally different from the dizziness one might feel due to the flu or other common condition.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 14 mins (2011-03-21 14:36:08 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

To clarify, vertigo is a severe form of dizziness but is not synonymous with dizziness.

Arabic & More
Jordan
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 12
Grading comment
Thank you

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Stephanie Ezrol
6 mins
agree  Tina Vonhof (X): Good explanation.
16 mins
agree  Jack Doughty
1 hr
agree  Veronika McLaren
1 hr
agree  R.C. (X)
3 hrs
agree  Michael Barnett: Spinning or off-balance, as if walking on a rocking boat.
4 hrs
agree  Sandra & Kenneth Grossman
6 hrs
agree  Phong Le
8 hrs
agree  Lirka
8 hrs
agree  Anita du Plessis: Very good explanation!
17 hrs
agree  Thuy-PTT (X)
1 day 13 hrs
agree  Piotr Sawiec
2 days 2 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)




Reference comments


14 mins
Reference: vertigo from 2 medical sources

Reference information:
Vertigo is a feeling that you or your surroundings are moving when there is no actual movement. You may feel as though you are spinning, whirling, falling, or tilting. When you have severe vertigo, you may feel very nauseated or vomit. You may have trouble walking or standing, and you may lose your balance and fall.
http://www.webmd.com/brain/tc/dizziness-lightheadedness-and-...

Vertigo Overview, Incidence & Prevalence
Overview of Vertigo
Vertigo, or dizziness, is a symptom, not a disease. The term vertigo refers to the sensation of spinning or whirling that occurs as a result of a disturbance in balance (equilibrium). It also may be used to describe feelings of dizziness, lightheadedness, faintness, and unsteadiness. The sensation of movement is called subjective vertigo and the perception of movement in surrounding objects is called objective vertigo.

Vertigo usually occurs as a result of a disorder in the vestibular system (i.e., structures of the inner ear, the vestibular nerve, brainstem, and cerebellum). The vestibular system is responsible for integrating sensory stimuli and movement and for keeping objects in visual focus as the body moves. Benign paroxysmal position vertigo (BPPV) is a common cause for dizziness.

When the head moves, signals are transmitted to the labyrinth, which is an apparatus in the inner ear that is made up of three semicircular canals surrounded by fluid. The labyrinth then transmits movement information to the vestibular nerve and the vestibular nerve carries the information to the brainstem and cerebellum (areas of the brain that control balance, posture, and motor coordination). There are a number of different causes for dizzy spells.
http://www.neurologychannel.com/vertigo/index.shtml


--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 4 hrs (2011-03-21 18:43:18 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

I look a little further at medical and educational sights. Dizziness is a very general term whereas vertigo is used medically for this sense of motion where in fact there is no motion.

Stephanie Ezrol
United States
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 48
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.

You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.

Return to KudoZ list

KudoZ™ translation help

The KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.

See also:
ProZ.com term search
Search millions of term translations
Close search
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search