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Dizziness and Vertigo — Causes and Warning Signs
Also described as giddiness, vertigo, light-headedness, loss of balance.
It matters which kind of dizziness you have: a spinning sensation usually comes from the inner ear, while light-headedness on standing more often reflects blood pressure, anaemia or medication. Dizziness with slurred speech, weakness or double vision may signal a stroke and is an emergency.
🚨 Get emergency care if you have
- •Dizziness with slurred speech, facial droop, or weakness on one side — call emergency services
- •Dizziness with double vision or difficulty swallowing
- •Sudden severe headache with the dizziness
- •Fainting, or dizziness with chest pain or palpitations
- •Dizziness after a head injury
What causes dizziness?
BPPV (positional vertigo)
Brief, intense spinning triggered by turning in bed or looking up. Treated with repositioning manoeuvres.
Low blood pressure on standing
Light-headedness on getting up quickly, often related to dehydration or blood pressure medication.
Anaemia
Persistent light-headedness with fatigue, breathlessness and pallor.
Inner ear inflammation
Sudden, prolonged vertigo with nausea, sometimes after a viral illness.
Stroke or TIA
Dizziness with weakness, speech or vision changes. Requires emergency imaging.
How it is investigated
- ✓Blood pressure lying and standing
- ✓Neurological and balance examination, including positional testing
- ✓Haemoglobin, blood sugar and thyroid function
- ✓MRI brain where a central cause is suspected
Not every patient needs every test. The consultation decides which of these apply to you.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between dizziness and vertigo?▼
Vertigo is a false sense of movement — the room spinning — and usually comes from the inner ear or, less often, the brain. Dizziness or light-headedness is a feeling of faintness, more often from blood pressure, anaemia, dehydration or medication. The distinction guides the whole work-up, so describe it precisely to your doctor.
When is dizziness a stroke?▼
When it comes with slurred speech, facial droop, weakness or numbness on one side, double vision, or difficulty swallowing. Treat that combination as an emergency and call 044 2025 2025 — stroke treatment is time-critical.
This page is general health information, not a diagnosis or a substitute for a consultation. Symptoms overlap between harmless and serious conditions, and only an examination can tell them apart. If you are worried, see a doctor.
Plan your first visit
Not sure which specialist to see? Tell our care team the reason for your visit and we will help you choose.
- Bring previous prescriptions, relevant test reports or scan images, a medication list and photo ID.
- If you plan to use insurance, bring your policy details. OPD, tests and admission benefits depend on your individual plan and approval.
- Your first consultation determines which tests or treatments are needed; not everyone needs every test listed on this page.
Appointments are requests until confirmed. In a medical emergency, call 044 2025 2025 or go to the nearest emergency department.