Vertigo is not just a feeling of dizziness; it's a specific type of dizziness characterized by the sensation of spinning or motion when you're not actually moving. It often occurs due to problems in the inner ear or the vestibular system, which is responsible for maintaining balance and spatial orientation. Conditions such as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), vestibular neuritis, and Meniere's disease are common causes of vertigo.