Vertigo / dizziness

by | Apr 1, 2022 | Primary Care

Person sitting with head in hands, looking unsteady, with a blurred spinning background—illustrating the sensation of vertigo.

Understanding Dizziness and Vertigo: Causes, Symptoms, and When to Seek Care

Dizziness is a very common but non-specific complaint with many possible causes. It can feel like lightheadedness, a sense that you might pass out, or trouble maintaining balance while walking.

Common Causes of Dizziness

Some possible causes of dizziness include:

  • Dehydration

  • Medications (side effects)

  • Anxiety or panic attacks

  • Cardiac arrhythmias

  • Electrolyte abnormalities

  • Inner ear disorders

Because dizziness has so many potential triggers, a thorough evaluation is often needed.

What Is Vertigo?

Vertigo is one of the most common causes of dizziness and has distinct symptoms. People often describe feeling as though:

  • They are spinning, swaying, or tilting

  • The room is moving around them

Vertigo episodes can last minutes, hours, or days, and may come and go.

Common Causes of Vertigo

Vertigo is most often caused by inner ear disorders, including:

  • Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)

  • Meniere’s disease

  • Vestibular neuritis

  • Head injury

  • Vestibular migraine

Other causes include medications or neurological issues such as stroke or multiple sclerosis.

When to Seek Urgent Medical Attention

Certain symptoms require emergency evaluation. Seek urgent care or go to the ER if you experience:

  • Sudden, severe headache (“worst headache of my life”)

  • High fever

  • Difficulty speaking or walking

  • Chest pain

  • Numbness or tingling

  • Facial droop

  • Loss of consciousness (passing out)

Diagnosis and Treatment

Identifying the underlying cause is key to treating vertigo and dizziness. This process can take time, but accurate diagnosis leads to better long-term results.

Get Help for Dizziness or Vertigo

If you are experiencing ongoing dizziness or vertigo, contact your primary care provider for an evaluation.

If you do not have a PCP or cannot get an appointment quickly, call or text Compassion Primary Care. We are a direct primary care (DPC) practice, and you can be seen as a non-member or become a member for ongoing care.

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