Dizziness and Balance
Vertigo and unsteadiness, often originating in the inner ear.
Last revised
Key takeaways
- BPPV: brief vertigo triggered by head position; treatable with the Epley manoeuvre
- Vestibular neuritis: sudden prolonged vertigo, usually viral
- Most useful single change: Describe whether the room spins and what triggers it; it guides diagnosis.
- Commonest mistake: Long-term vestibular sedatives, which delay compensation.
- See a doctor if any of the signs under "When to get help" below apply to you.
Why it matters
The commonest cause is treatable in a single appointment with a positioning manoeuvre, and is frequently left for years.
The numbers, in one place
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| BPPV | brief vertigo triggered by head position; treatable with the Epley manoeuvre |
| Vestibular neuritis | sudden prolonged vertigo, usually viral |
| Meniere's disease | vertigo with hearing loss and tinnitus |
| Vestibular rehabilitation | effective for persistent unsteadiness |
What helps
- Describe whether the room spins and what triggers it; it guides diagnosis
- Ask about the Epley manoeuvre if positional
- Ask about vestibular rehabilitation for persistent symptoms
What to avoid
- Long-term vestibular sedatives, which delay compensation
- Driving while symptomatic
- Assuming dizziness is simply age
Where to go next
- Understanding Dizziness and Balance: A Plain-English Explainer
- Dizziness and Balance: A Practical Checklist
- Children's Hearing: What Published Guidance Supports
- The Evidence on Communicating with Hearing Loss, Without the Hype
When to get help
Call 999 for dizziness with sudden weakness or numbness on one side, difficulty speaking, double vision, severe headache, or difficulty walking — these can indicate a stroke. See a GP urgently for vertigo with new hearing loss, or after a head injury.
Where this comes from
How this page was put together
Every figure, recommendation and warning above is taken from the guidance named in Where this comes from. Nothing on this page is inferred, summarised or generalised beyond what those bodies publish: where they give a number, it is their number, and where they are silent, so are we. Pages are rebuilt whenever the underlying record changes. Sign-off by a named clinician, where it has happened, is shown at the top of the page along with the date.
Medical disclaimer
This article is general information, not medical advice. It cannot account for your own history, medication or circumstances. Always speak to a GP, pharmacist or another qualified health professional before making changes that affect your treatment, and never delay seeking medical advice because of something you have read here. In an emergency, call 999.