Dizziness in medical terms: what it means

Lightheadedness can feel like faintness or weakness, often around standing. Vertigo means a spinning or moving sensation, sometimes brought on by turning the head; benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is one possible inner-ear cause. Imbalance means difficulty walking steadily, while nonspecific dizziness may feel hard to describe. Dehydration, anaemia, low blood sugar, anxiety, heart rhythm problems and heat exhaustion are among the possible causes, so the pattern matters more than the word alone.

Sit safely and avoid driving until the episode passes. Record whether the room spins, whether you feel faint, what movement or activity preceded it, how long it lasted, and whether hearing changes, headache, nausea, palpitations or weakness occurred. Bring a list of medicines and supplements to an appointment. Do not stop prescribed treatment without advice.

Get emergency help for dizziness with one-sided weakness, facial drooping, trouble speaking, new severe headache, chest pain, severe breathlessness, fainting, confusion or inability to walk. Arrange medical review when episodes recur, cause falls, follow a new medicine, or continue without a clear trigger.

Which type of dizziness does my description suggest? Do I need blood pressure checks, blood tests, an ear assessment or an heart-rhythm check? Could any medicine be contributing?