Dizziness / vertigo — which specialty
A spinning sensation, loss of balance, or greying out on standing up.
Usually seen by
NeurologyENT
Other directions, depending on what comes with it:
- Cardiology — if it comes with palpitations, a lurching feeling, or fainting
- General internal medicine — if you take blood pressure, diuretic or sedative medicines
Not sure you have picked the right one? Start with general internal medicine — routing you to the right place is their job, not yours.
Go now, without waiting for an appointment, if any of these apply
- Dizziness with one-sided weakness, slurred speech, a drooping face or double vision
- Dizziness with a sudden severe headache
- Dizziness with chest pain or breathlessness
- A fall you could not get up from, or loss of consciousness
This list is not exhaustive and does not replace judgement on the spot. If something is clearly wrong and you are unsure, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest facility — waiting in order to be certain is the most dangerous way to spend the time.
What you will be asked — have the answers ready
- Whether the ROOM SEEMS TO SPIN, or you feel light-headed and about to drop — these are different and lead to different specialties
- Whether it starts on turning over in bed, on standing, or at any time
- Whether an episode lasts seconds, minutes or hours
- Whether there is ringing, reduced hearing, or fullness in one ear
- Which medicines you take
A first appointment is short. Having these answers ready is the cheapest way to avoid a second visit that exists only to supply information.
Bring with you
- A note of the position you were in when each of the last few episodes began
- A complete list of medicines
- Someone with you if you have been falling
What a first visit usually involves
- Positional manoeuvres to see whether episodes are triggered by head position
- Ear examination and a hearing test if the inner ear is suspected
- Blood pressure lying and standing