Vertigo

What is vertigo?

Vertigo is when you feel like you or everything around you is spinning. It's much more than just feeling a bit dizzy. The spinning feeling can affect your balance and make it hard to walk or stand properly.

A vertigo attack can be very short (just a few seconds) or last for hours. If your vertigo is severe, it might go on for days or even months.

What does vertigo feel like?

People with vertigo often describe it as:

• Feeling like the room is spinning around them
• Feeling like they're spinning when they're actually still
• Losing their balance
• Feeling sick or being sick
• Having trouble walking in a straight line

What can you do to help yourself?

When you're having vertigo symptoms, try these things:

Do:

• Lie still in a quiet, dark room to reduce the spinning feeling
• Move your head slowly and carefully during daily activities
• Sit down straight away when you feel dizzy
• Turn lights on if you get up at night
• Use a walking stick if you're worried about falling
• Sleep with your head slightly raised on 2 or more pillows
• Get out of bed slowly - sit on the edge for a while before standing
• Try to stay calm, as worry can make vertigo worse

Don't:

• Bend over to pick things up - squat down instead
• Stretch your neck up (like reaching for high shelves)

When should you speak to your GP?

You should see your GP if vertigo keeps coming back or is affecting your daily life.

Get urgent help from your GP or call NHS 111 if you have vertigo and:

• A severe headache
• You're being sick or feel very sick
• A very high temperature, or you feel hot, cold or shivery

Call 999 or go to A&E immediately if you have vertigo and:

• Double vision or loss of sight
• Hearing loss
• Trouble speaking
• Weakness, numbness or tingling in your arms or legs

These symptoms could mean something serious is happening that needs immediate medical help.

What causes vertigo?

Most vertigo is caused by problems in your inner ear, which helps control your balance. Common causes include:

• BPPV - when certain head movements trigger vertigo
• Labyrinthitis - an inner ear infection often caused by cold or flu viruses
• Vestibular neuritis - when the nerve that helps with balance becomes inflamed
• Ménière's disease - a rare inner ear condition that can also cause ringing in your ears or hearing loss

Other causes can include migraines or some medicines (check your medicine leaflet for side effects).

Treatment

Most people with vertigo get better without treatment. If you need treatment, it depends on what's causing your vertigo.

Your GP might give you:

• Antibiotics if it's caused by an infection
• Special exercises to help improve your balance
• Antihistamines to help with symptoms

Important note about driving

If you drive, you must tell the DVLA about your vertigo. Check GOV.UK for more information about driving with vertigo.

Remember, most people with vertigo do get better. Speak to your GP if you're worried or if symptoms keep coming back.

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Based on NHS.uk guidance. Written by Dr Krishnan Pasupathi, NHS GP.