Vertigo More Likely In People Who Have Osteoporosis

Vertigo is an inner ear disorder that causes dizziness. People who have osteoporosis are more likely to also have vertigo, according to a study published in the March 24, 2009 issue of Neurology. In the study, 209 people with benign positional vertigo were compared to 202 people with no history of dizziness. Results showed that people with osteoporosis were 3 times more likely to have vertigo -- and people with osteopenia were twice as likely to have vertigo compared to people with normal bone density.

Vertigo is thought to be caused by loose calcium carbonate crystals that move in the sensing tubes of the inner ear. The connection with osteoporosis suggests there may be a problem with calcium metabolism. Women typically have their first experience with vertigo in their 50s when there is a drop in bone mass related to loss of estrogen (one of the primary hormones involved in calcium and bone metabolism). The link between osteoporosis and vertigo also was found in men -- so researchers believe other factors are involved.

Related Resources:

• Osteoporosis Screening Quiz
• Osteoporosis Risk Factor Quiz
• Bone Up On Osteoporosis
• Osteopenia - What You Need to Know
• Increased Risk of Osteoporosis With Rheumatic Disease

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