What should you know about temporary vertigo?

Vertigo is different from feeling generally faint or unsteady. Episodes brought on by rolling in bed, looking up, or bending may fit benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, a problem involving inner-ear balance sensors. Vertigo with ringing, hearing change, or a blocked-ear feeling can occur with an inner-ear disorder such as Meniere's disease or a middle-ear infection. Some people experience vertigo as part of migraine, even without a strong headache.

A single brief episode can settle, while repeated or unexplained episodes deserve clinical review. Note what you were doing, how long the spinning lasted, whether head movement triggered it, and whether nausea, hearing symptoms, headache, weakness, or visual changes occurred.

Sit or lie down as soon as spinning begins, keep your head still, and rise slowly once it eases. Avoid driving, heights, ladders, and machinery until your balance is reliable. Drink normally if you can, and keep a record of episode timing and triggers. Do not perform an Epley manoeuvre unless a clinician has identified positional vertigo and shown that it is suitable for you.

Seek emergency help for vertigo with new facial drooping, arm or leg weakness, trouble speaking, severe new headache, fainting, chest pain, inability to walk, or sudden hearing loss. Arrange prompt medical assessment for persistent vomiting, fever with severe ear pain, repeated episodes, or symptoms that are worsening. A clinician can examine your ears, eye movements, balance, hearing, and neurological function.

Could my episode pattern suggest positional vertigo, migraine, or an ear problem? Do I need hearing or balance checks? Which activities should I avoid, and would a manoeuvre or another treatment be appropriate?