Vertigo After a Fall? Here’s What It Can Mean

If you’ve taken a tumble, whether it’s a slip off a curb or a more significant fall, and are experiencing dizziness, you know it can be disorienting, unsettling, and downright scary. 

At Advanced Specialty Associates with offices in Baxter and The Village at Mendota Heights, Minnesota, we know feeling dizzy after a fall means you’re probably full of questions about what’s happening, whether it’s normal, and if you should be worried.

Our board-certified providers are here to unravel these questions and give you the information you need. Keep reading as we explain vertigo and the signs you’re experiencing it, why you might develop vertigo after a fall, and what you can do to make the dizziness end.

Vertigo: Understanding the condition and its signs

Vertigo is often described as the sensation of spinning or swaying when you’re not actually moving. Though it can make you feel dizzy, vertigo isn’t just about dizziness or lightheadedness — it’s the illusion of movement, as if the world is moving around you.

The feeling of movement is often accompanied by other disturbing symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, sweating, or difficulties in standing or walking because of trouble finding your balance.

Different issues can trigger vertigo, including medications, migraines, brain conditions (e.g., stroke), and injury. If you’re experiencing vertigo, it’s important to see a specialist who can pinpoint the underlying cause of your symptoms.

Vertigo after a fall: What it means and what to do 

If you’re experiencing vertigo after a fall, there are many possible reasons for your dizziness. These can range from minor troubles to more serious conditions. Here’s a closer look at some of the more common reasons you might have post-fall vertigo:

Inner ear disturbance

The most common cause of vertigo is a problem with the inner ear, where your balance system resides. A fall can dislodge the tiny calcium particles in the inner ear, leading to a condition known as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).

Stress and anxiety

Sometimes, the experience of a fall can heighten stress and anxiety. This can trigger vertigo symptoms or make any existing vertigo worse, due to changes in hormones, oxygen, and more. 

Vestibular system damage

The parts of your inner ear and brain that process sensory information related to controlling balance and eye movements are called the vestibular system. Trauma from a fall can damage this system, leading to vertigo.

Head injury

A fall can result in a concussion or other forms of head injury, affecting the brain's areas that interpret balance and spatial orientation. This can cause vertigo and the associated symptoms.

If you’re experiencing vertigo after a fall, you should contact a health care provider.

Your Advanced Specialty Associates provider monitors your symptoms and determines the underlying cause of your vertigo to recommend the best course of action.

While you wait for your appointment, be sure to avoid sudden movements that could worsen your symptoms. You can also keep a diary of what you experience, noting when you have different symptoms and their severity.

It’s also important to stay hydrated, as dehydration can worsen vertigo. And to reduce your risk of another fall, be sure your environment is safe and free of tripping hazards, like area rugs. 

Treatments to overcome vertigo after a fall

At Advanced Specialty Associates, your specialist works with you to recommend a customized vertigo treatment plan, tailored to address the root cause of your vertigo.

Our practice goes over your medical history, the details of your fall, and your current symptoms. You can expect a physical exam and other tests, such as blood work or an audiogram, to pinpoint your diagnosis.

Depending on your needs, your treatment plan may include specialized physical therapy (vestibular rehabilitation), medications to address symptoms, and head movements to move dislodged calcium deposits to the correct place (canalith repositioning maneuvers).

Your provider reviews your symptoms and medical history, then performs a physical exam and may order lab work or an audiogram. With all of this information, your provider develops a specialized treatment plan to treat your dizziness and the underlying issue.

Although rare, some cases of vertigo may require surgical treatment to address the underlying cause. 

Additionally, if your vertigo is caused by underlying damage or trauma that requires a different specialist, your Advanced Specialty Associates provider refers you to the best care possible. 

If you’ve experienced a fall and now have vertigo, don’t wait to schedule an appointment online or over the phone with a provider at Advanced Specialty Associates in Baxter or The Village at Mendota Heights, Minnesota, today.