Balance disorders can cause vertigo (usually a spinning sensation), dizziness, vision problems, nausea, unsteadiness and fatigue. Certain conditions also cause tinnitus (ringing or other sound in the ears) and hearing loss.

These are also symptoms of many other conditions, so to diagnose a balance disorder it is important to see your doctor and, if necessary, a specialist.

The words dizzy and vertigo have many meanings and the same symptom can affect people in different ways.

Here are some descriptions of how the symptoms may feel, given by patients with balance disorders.