What should you know about vertigo aafp?

Vertigo is an illusion of movement such as spinning or tilting, and its timing and triggers guide the medical assessment. It can occur in brief position-triggered attacks, episodes lasting longer, or a persistent period of imbalance. Describing the pattern is often more useful than calling every dizzy feeling vertigo.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo often produces short spinning episodes after a head-position change. Meniere's disease may combine vertigo with hearing symptoms, while migraine can cause dizziness with or without head pain. A middle-ear infection can affect balance, especially when ear pain or fever is present.

A clinician may ask about hearing, headache, nausea, walking, recent illness, medicines, and neurological symptoms. They may examine eye movements, balance, ears, and coordination to decide whether further testing is needed.

Stop and sit or lie down when spinning begins. Rise slowly, use a handrail, and keep the home well lit and free of trip hazards. Avoid driving, ladders, and swimming alone until the cause and safety plan are clear. Drink fluids if vomiting or poor intake is contributing.

Treatment depends on the cause. Positional vertigo may respond to an Epley manoeuvre performed or taught by a trained clinician. Do not repeat manoeuvres that cause neck pain, faintness, or unusual symptoms without advice.

Seek emergency help for vertigo with sudden weakness, numbness, facial drooping, trouble speaking, double vision, severe unsteadiness, fainting, or a new severe headache. Same-day assessment is warranted for sudden hearing loss, severe vomiting, or vertigo that is continuous and worsening.

Ask which pattern your symptoms follow, whether your ears and neurological function need testing, and whether an Epley manoeuvre is suitable. Ask what warning signs should send you to emergency care and how to return safely to driving or work.