What kind of sensation is typically described by a patient experiencing vertigo?

Patients experiencing vertigo often describe it as a sensation that the room or their surroundings are spinning or moving when they themselves are stationary. This sensation is distinct and can be quite disorienting for the individual, differentiating it from other sensations like feeling faint or lightheaded, which are typically associated with other conditions such as hypotension or dehydration.

While loss of balance and generalized weakness can accompany vertigo, they are not inherently characteristics of the sensation itself. The hallmark of vertigo is that specific swirling or spinning sensation, which can result from issues in the vestibular system of the inner ear or the central nervous system affecting balance.