What is vertigo? Understanding the spinning sensation

Vertigo can feel like spinning, tilting, rocking, or being pulled to one side. It may bring nausea, vomiting, sweating, imbalance, or abnormal eye movements. Brief attacks triggered by turning in bed or looking up can occur with [Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo](/conditions/benign-paroxysmal-positional-vertigo/). Vertigo with hearing changes or ringing may point toward an inner-ear problem such as [Meniere's Disease](/conditions/menieres-disease/). Migraine and middle-ear illness can also be associated with vertigo.

Sit or lie still in a safe place and focus on a fixed object. Move your head slowly, keep pathways clear, and avoid driving, heights, or machinery while symptoms continue. Sip fluids if you can, and record what happened, including triggers, duration, hearing symptoms, headache, and recent illness. A clinician may recommend the [Epley Manoeuvre](/treatments/minor-procedures/epley-manoeuvre/) when the pattern fits a particular inner-ear cause; do not perform it without appropriate guidance.

Call emergency services for sudden weakness or numbness, facial drooping, trouble speaking, fainting, severe new headache, chest pain, or inability to walk. Seek prompt assessment for new persistent vertigo, repeated vomiting, severe headache, new hearing loss, or symptoms after a head injury. A [Middle Ear Infection](/conditions/middle-ear-infection/) and [Migraine](/conditions/migraine/) are among possible explanations, but examination is needed.

What pattern does my vertigo suggest? Do I need hearing, balance, or neurological tests? Is a positional manoeuvre suitable and how should I do it safely?