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Warning-sign checks

Benign positional vertigo: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Call emergency services for vertigo with new weakness, numbness, facial drooping, speech or vision changes, severe loss of coordination, confusion, fainting, chest pain, or a sudden severe headache.

    Do not drive yourself for emergency evaluation.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Seek prompt care if episodes become prolonged, vomiting makes it difficult to drink, you develop sudden hearing changes, or you fall and may have been injured.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    A follow-up assessment is useful if symptoms continue after treatment, return frequently, or no longer follow the usual brief positional pattern.

    The clinician may repeat positional testing, treat a different canal, or look for another cause of dizziness.

    Arrange routine follow-up if you still have mild imbalance, are limiting activity because of fear of falling, or are unsure whether a home maneuver is being performed correctly.

    A vestibular physical therapist, audiologist, ear specialist, or neurologist may be involved when symptoms are persistent or the diagnosis is unclear.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Benign positional vertigo. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.