vertigo

n. A word in common usage, which refers to a feeling of dizziness, light-headedness, and/or loss of balance. These sensations may be caused by a variety of changes in a person's motion, position, rotation, or equilibrium. Vertigo may be episodic or chronic; chronicity most often results from injury or infection in the middle or inner ear. Vertigo is also known as vestibulitis, indicating the role of the vestibular system (the inner ear mechanism for sensing position, movement, and balance). Vertigo may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Vertigo may be relieved by specific head movement exercises, acupuncture, or motion sickness medication such as meclizine. – VS