What should you know about brain vertigo?

The balance system combines signals from the inner ear, eyes, muscles, and brain. A mismatch between these signals can create vertigo. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo often causes brief spells after turning in bed or moving the head. Meniere's Disease may bring vertigo with hearing changes, ear pressure, or ringing. Migraine can cause dizziness with or without a headache, while a middle-ear infection may disturb balance alongside ear pain or fever.

The sensation alone cannot show which cause is present. A clinician may ask about triggers, duration, hearing, headache, recent infection, medicines, and walking ability, then examine eye movements, balance, hearing, and the nervous system.

Sit or lie down in a safe place, move slowly, and avoid driving, heights, swimming alone, or machinery until the cause is clearer. Keep a note of what brought on the spell, how long it lasted, and whether nausea, hearing symptoms, headache, weakness, or speech changes occurred.

Arrange a clinical review for recurrent or unexplained vertigo. If positional vertigo is diagnosed, a clinician may recommend an Epley Manoeuvre or another targeted exercise. Do not perform a manoeuvre without guidance if you have neck or back problems or if the diagnosis is uncertain.

Seek emergency help for vertigo with facial drooping, one-sided weakness or numbness, trouble speaking, double vision, inability to walk, fainting, a sudden severe headache, chest pain, or new severe hearing loss. Urgent review is also needed when repeated vomiting prevents fluids or symptoms follow a head injury.

Ask whether the pattern suggests an inner-ear or migraine cause, whether hearing or balance tests are needed, which movements to avoid, whether an Epley Manoeuvre is suitable, and which changes should trigger emergency care.