Vertigo & Dizziness

Dizziness and vertigo are commonly reported symptoms in people with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Dizziness is a term used to describe a range of sensations, such as feeling faint, woozy, weak or unsteady. Dizziness that creates the false sense that you or your surroundings are spinning or moving is called vertigo. All types of dizziness can lead to balance problems.

In general, both symptoms are less notable in people in the early stages of Parkinson’s. It is more common for older people with Parkinson’s to experience dizziness or vertigo. When tested, many people with PD experience vestibular dysfunction (balance issues related to the inner ear) even without having symptoms of vertigo or dizziness.

While these non-movement symptoms are common, they are often overlooked. To optimize your treatment, know how to identify vertigo and dizziness, so you can address the issue with your care team.

Causes

Orthostatic Hypotension (OH)

This is the most commonly overlooked cause of dizziness in people with Parkinson’s. OH is a persistent drop in blood pressure that occurs upon moving from sitting to standing or from lying down to sitting up or standing. OH can result in the temporary loss of consciousness.

When orthostatic hypotension is related to a neurologic disorder like Parkinson’s, it’s called neurogenic orthostatic hypotension (nOH). It is important to know that not only can PD cause OH, but many of the treatments for motor symptoms of PD can worsen OH.

Medication-induced Dizziness or Vertigo

Other common drugs associated with dizziness include anticonvulsants, antihypertensives, antibiotics, antidepressants, antipsychotics, pain medications and anti-inflammatory drugs.

With the help of your doctor, this medication-related issue can be treated by weaning the dosage and slowly discontinuing the drug or drugs causing the side effect.

Deep Brain Stimulation

A surgical procedure for PD, deep brain simulation (DBS) can be associated with dizziness or vertigo. Either symptom can emerge soon after surgery. A health professional can determine if the dizziness is caused by the device by simply powering it on and off. Once the device is turned off, your care partner or medical team should observe you to confirm if the dizziness or vertigo resolves.

If it does resolve, your healthcare team may reprogram the device and possibly check the location of the electrodes (usually by brain imaging). When turning the device on and off is not enough, an evaluation by an ENT specialist may be necessary.

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)

This is a sudden onset of vertigo, lasting only a few seconds, typically after a sudden head movement such as turning in bed. Research reveals BPPV may occur in 11% of people with Parkinson's who experience dizziness and becomes more common with age. It can be diagnosed using an in-office assessment called the Dix-Hallpike maneuver. Your doctor, or a physical therapist who is an expert in vestibular rehabilitation can offer treatment options or teach you the Semont maneuvers, a series of simple movements to self-administer at home.

Transient Ischemic Attack or Stroke

Sudden onset of dizziness, usually in the presence of other sudden onset neurological symptoms, could possibly be a transient ischemic attack “TIA” (a brief stroke-like attack) or stroke. If a stroke is suspected, you should seek emergency medical attention immediately and undergo appropriate imaging and potentially stroke-related therapies.

Other Causes

Dizziness and vertigo are not unique to Parkinson’s and can have many other causes. Symptoms can be caused by low blood pressure for reasons other than OH, anxiety, cold, flu, dehydration, heart conditions, migraine, and more. Tell your doctor if you regularly experience dizziness or vertigo.

Page reviewed by Dr. Addie Patterson, Movement Disorders Neurologist at the Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases at the University of Florida, a Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence.