Frontal headache and dizziness: what to know

Frontal headache with dizziness can have several causes, so the type and timing of dizziness guide the next step. Feeling faint after standing differs from spinning triggered by head movement. Record meals, fluids, heat exposure, sleep, medicines and any hearing or neurological symptoms.

Fluid loss or heat can lead to Dehydration or Heat Exhaustion, with thirst, weakness and lightheadedness. A missed meal or diabetes medicine can contribute to Hypoglycaemia. Anaemia or Iron Deficiency Anaemia may cause headache, tiredness and reduced exercise tolerance. Spinning brought on by turning in bed or moving the head can occur with Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo. Anxiety can produce head pressure and a floating sensation. Palpitations or an irregular heartbeat need assessment for causes such as Atrial Fibrillation.

Sit or lie down when dizzy and rise slowly. Move to a cool place, sip fluids, and eat a suitable snack if you have missed food and can swallow safely. Avoid driving, heights and machinery until your balance and alertness return. Do not use someone else's diabetes medicine or start iron without advice. Arrange a clinical review if episodes repeat, last longer, follow a new medicine, or affect walking.

Get emergency help for sudden severe headache with weakness, facial drooping, trouble speaking, confusion, fainting, seizure, new vision loss or inability to walk. Seek urgent assessment for chest pain, severe breathlessness, a sustained racing or irregular heartbeat, repeated vomiting, or heat illness with confusion or collapse.

Is this lightheadedness, imbalance or room-spinning vertigo? Could my blood count, glucose, blood pressure or medicines be contributing? Do I need an ear or heart assessment? What should I do if the episode returns?