Dizziness: Light-headedness and Vertigo

Emergencies

Yes	Do you have any of the following symptoms that require emergency treatment? Call 911 or other emergency services immediately.

• Loss of consciousness and inability to rouse the person
• Signs of shock
  • In adults and older children
  • In children
• Seizure (convulsion)
• Sudden, severe vertigo with nausea or vomiting and the inability to walk or stand
• Persistent loss of function, such as:
  • Partial or complete inability to move (paralysis) a part or all of one side of the body (face, arm, and leg), or persistent numbness
  • Loss of vision in one or both eyes
  • Confusion or altered behaviour, such as unusual aggressive or combative behaviour
  • Inability to speak, difficulty speaking, or difficulty understanding speech
• Sudden, severe pain and is the worst headache you have ever had
• Chest pain that is crushing or squeezing, increases in intensity, or occurs with any other symptoms of a heart attack
• Sudden change in your normal heart rate (pulse rate less than 50 or more than 150 beats per minute). Note: To check your heart rate, see taking a pulse.
• Heart palpitations with any of the following symptoms:
  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • Decreased alertness
  • Vision changes

Check Your Symptoms

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, click on the "Yes" in front of the question for information about how soon to see a health professional.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

If you have any of the following symptoms, evaluate those symptoms first.

• Chest pain: Go to the topic Chest Pain.
• Change in your heart rate: Go to the topic Change in Heartbeat.
• Headache: Go to the topic Headaches.
• Thoughts of suicide or harming yourself: Go to the topic Suicidal Thoughts or Threats.
• Hyperventilation: Go to the topic Hyperventilation.

Yes	Have you had vertigo with a temporary loss of function, and all your symptoms are now gone?
Yes	Do you have vertigo?
Yes	Did your light-headedness or vertigo begin following an injury?
Yes	Have you had spells of light-headedness or fainted?
Yes	Do you think that your vertigo or light-headedness may be caused by a medicine?

Other Symptoms to Watch For

Do you have any of the following symptoms?

• Head injury: Go to the topic Head Injury, Age 4 and Older.
• Ringing in the ears (tinnitus): Go to the topic Ringing in the Ears.
• Ear problems: Go to the topic Ear Problems, Age 4 and Older.

If a visit to a health professional is not needed immediately, see the Home Treatment section for self-care information.

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Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated: April 17, 2007
Medical Review:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine Colin Chalk, MD, CM, FRCPC - Neurology
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