Ambulance 912HAP 9252
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General health information

Vertigo

Vertigo makes you feel as though you or your surroundings are spinning or moving. The cause is often in the inner ear's balance system, but sudden persistent vertigo with loss of neurological function may be a stroke. The pattern of episodes, hearing symptoms and warning signs determines what assessment is needed.

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  • Vertigo means feeling movement that is not happening. It is different from light-headedness or nearly fainting.
  • Episodes lasting seconds, triggered by turning over, looking up or bending down, often suggest benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, or BPPV.
  • Inflammation of the balance nerve can cause vertigo lasting days; Ménière's disease causes episodes with fluctuating hearing loss, pressure or ringing in the ear.
  • A stroke can sometimes begin mainly with vertigo, severe loss of balance and eye movement problems. Neurological warning signs require a call to 912.
  • The doctor bases the diagnosis on timing, triggers and focused eye, ear and neurological examination; not everyone needs a scan.
  • Preventing falls and staying safe in traffic come first until the cause and control of balance are clear.

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Further reading

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V
Vestibular neuritisVestibular neuritis causes sudden, severe, persistent spinning dizziness due to loss of function in one vestibular nerve. Hearing loss does not fit well, and a stroke must be ruled out quickly when warning signs are present.
M
Ménière’s diseaseMénière’s disease is an inner ear condition with attacks of vertigo, fluctuating hearing loss, tinnitus and a feeling of fullness in one or both ears. New loss of neurological function, sudden deafness in one ear or dizziness clearly different from previous attacks requires prompt assessment.
E
Exercises for dizzinessSpecific exercises can help certain forms of dizziness, especially positional vertigo and recovery of the balance system. The right exercise depends on the diagnosis and affected side; warning signs require urgent assessment first.