Dizziness is an inaccurate popular term often used to describe a variety of related sensations, including: • Malaise (feeling like you are about to pass out) • Sensation of dizziness • Imbalance (feeling of loss of balance or instability) • Sensation of vaguely high or dizzy • Vertigo (false sense of movement)

Vertigo is a type of dizziness that is experienced as a false sensation of movement. People generally feel that they, their surroundings, or both, are spinning. The sensation is similar to that of the child's play of going around in circles, then suddenly stopping and feeling like the environment is spinning. Sometimes people just feel pulled to one side. Vertigo is not a diagnosis. This is the description of a sensation.

People who feel dizzy may also have nausea and vomiting, problems with balance and / or difficulty walking. Some people have jerky eye movements (nystagmus) during an episode of vertigo.

Regardless of their description, these sensations can be disturbing and even disabling, especially when accompanied by nausea and vomiting. The symptoms cause particular problems for people who perform demanding or dangerous tasks, such as driving, stealing, or operating large machinery.

Dizziness accounts for 5 to 6% of the reasons for medical consultation. It can occur at any age but becomes more common with age. It affects around 40% of people over 40 at one point or another. Dizziness can be temporary or chronic. Dizziness is considered chronic if it lasts for more than a month. Chronic dizziness is more common in older people.