Coping with...VERTIGO

The feeling that you, or the environment, is moving or spinning is a symptom rather than a condition itself

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Vertigo may be minimal, or so severe that you have difficulty with balance or everyday tasks. It may develop suddenly, lasting seconds or be constant, lasting days. The term vertigo is often incorrectly used for a fear of heights, but this is acrophobia. Vertigo symptoms include loss of balance, difficulty standing, nausea or vomiting, and dizziness.

See your GP urgently or call 111 if your vertigo comes on suddenly, won't go away, and you also have severe headache, nausea, double vision, limb weakness, numbness or tingling, a high temperature or feel shivery. They'll ask about your symptoms and establish if it's more serious or possibly refer you for further tests. Inner ear problems are the commonest cause of vertigo.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is an inner ear problem causing short periods of vertigo when your head is in certain positions, often when lying down, turning over in bed and looking up, but it should settle within minutes. Even lying still, you feel like you're moving, or the room is moving around you.