Vertigo is a sensation of spinning or feeling off balance, often described as dizziness. Unlike lightheadedness, which makes you feel faint, vertigo specifically creates the illusion that you or your surroundings are moving. It's a symptom, not a condition itself, and typically arises from an issue within the inner ear, which plays a crucial role in maintaining balance. The most common cause is Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), triggered by specific head movements when tiny calcium crystals in the inner ear become dislodged. Other causes include Meniere's disease, an inner ear disorder affecting balance and hearing; labyrinthitis or vestibular neuritis, which are inner ear inflammations; and sometimes more serious central nervous system issues like stroke or migraine. Symptoms often include nausea, vomiting, sweating, and nystagmus (abnormal eye movements). Diagnosis involves examining symptoms, performing balance tests, and sometimes imaging scans. Treatment depends on the underlying cause, ranging from simple head maneuvers (for BPPV) and medication to address symptoms like nausea, to lifestyle changes or, in rare cases, surgery. While often disorienting and disruptive, vertigo is usually manageable.