How are vertigo and dizziness distinguished from each other?

Varies: This depends on the person sometimes, but from an ENT stance, dizziness is considered an off-balanced, off-kilter, light-headed or floaty sensation. There is an unsteadiness but not motion in one direction. Vertigo is generally a true sensation of motion. The person feels like he/she is spinning in one direction. The person feels like she/he is on a merry-go-round- implies an inner problem.