Feeling like the world is spinning around you can be frightening. For many people, vertigo comes on suddenly, leaving them unsteady, nauseous, and worried about what’s happening to their health. Because these symptoms can be so concerning, it’s always wise to get checked out by a doctor you know and trust.
At Trailhead Clinics, we often hear the question, “Can a doctor help with vertigo?” The answer is yes. Let’s walk through what vertigo is, what causes it, how you can manage symptoms at home, and how medical care can get you back to feeling balanced.
What Is Vertigo?
Vertigo is more than just feeling lightheaded or a little dizzy. It’s a distinct sensation that you or your surroundings are moving or spinning when they’re not. Many people describe it as if the room is tilting or whirling. This sensation often gets worse when you move your head, stand up, or change positions.
It’s important to note that vertigo is different from regular dizziness. Dizziness can mean feeling faint, unsteady, or off balance. Vertigo specifically refers to a spinning or rotational sensation, even when you’re standing perfectly still.
Why It’s Important to Seek Medical Care
Vertigo may seem harmless at first, but it can signal serious health issues when it lasts or keeps coming back. It can also increase your risk of falls and injuries, especially if you live alone or have other medical conditions. A doctor helping with vertigo can rule out life-threatening causes, give you peace of mind, and help you get back to living without constant worry about when the room might start spinning again.
Dr. Boyer says, “Vertigo can be extremely unsettling. The symptoms alone can’t tell us what’s going on, so you’ll want to come in for examination and testing.”
Let’s Explore Causes of Short-Term Vertigo
Short-lived vertigo is relatively common and may last only seconds or minutes. Some of the more frequent causes include the following:
- Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): This occurs when tiny calcium crystals in your inner ear shift out of place. Quick changes in head position, such as rolling over in bed or looking up, can suddenly trigger spinning sensations.
- Ear Infections: A viral or bacterial infection of the inner ear can temporarily disrupt balance, leading to vertigo.
- Migraines: Some people experience vestibular migraines, where dizziness and vertigo occur with or without the classic headache.
- Dehydration: Not having enough fluids in your body can sometimes lead to temporary dizziness or vertigo-like sensations.
- Sudden changes in blood pressure: Standing up too quickly can cause a brief drop in blood pressure, making you feel like the room is spinning.
These episodes may be uncomfortable but are usually short-lived. Still, if they keep happening, it’s important to see a doctor for vertigo to rule out underlying conditions.
What About Long-Term Vertigo That Doesn’t Resolve on Its Own?
Unlike fleeting dizziness, chronic vertigo lingers for days or weeks, or it keeps returning over time. This can signal deeper issues, such as the following:
- Ménière’s Disease: This condition, involving fluid buildup in the inner ear, leads to vertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus, and pressure in the ear.
- Vestibular Neuritis or Labyrinthitis: Inflammation of the nerves in the inner ear, often after a viral infection, can cause severe vertigo that may last for days.
- Head Injuries: Trauma to the head or neck can damage the balance centers of the inner ear or brain, resulting in persistent vertigo.
- Neurological Disorders: Conditions such as multiple sclerosis or stroke can disrupt the brain’s ability to process balance signals.
- Medication Side Effects: Certain antibiotics, diuretics, or chemotherapy drugs can damage the inner ear or affect balance.
Long-term vertigo feels different from the quick dizzy spells of BPPV or dehydration. It doesn’t resolve quickly and may come with additional symptoms such as hearing changes, ringing in the ears, headaches, or nausea. These signs make medical evaluation essential.
At-Home Tips to Manage Vertigo
If you’re experiencing vertigo, there are a few things you can try at home to stay safe and more comfortable until you’re able to see a doctor for help:
- Sit or lie down immediately when vertigo strikes to avoid falls or injuries.
- Move slowly and deliberately, especially when getting out of bed or turning your head.
- Stay hydrated, as dehydration can worsen dizziness.
- Reduce triggers, such as alcohol, caffeine, or salty foods, which can sometimes worsen inner ear fluid imbalances.
- Try simple repositioning maneuvers (such as the Epley maneuver) for BPPV, though these should be done carefully and ideally with guidance from a provider.
- Use good lighting at night, so you can move more safely if vertigo wakes you.
These tips can help you manage symptoms temporarily, but they’re not a substitute for medical evaluation.
Recap: How Doctors Can Help with Vertigo
Yes, doctors can absolutely help with vertigo. One of the most important steps they take is diagnosing the underlying cause. This may involve reviewing your health history, asking detailed questions about your symptoms, and performing balance tests. In some cases, your doctor may also order hearing tests, blood work, or imaging to rule out other conditions and get a clear picture of what’s happening.
Once the cause is identified, your physician can provide targeted treatment. For example, if benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the culprit, your doctor may guide you through specific head and body movements designed to reposition crystals in your inner ear. If the issue stems from an infection, antibiotics or steroids may be prescribed to reduce inflammation and restore balance.
In some cases, medication may be used to help manage symptoms. Short-term prescriptions can reduce nausea, ease motion sickness, or calm inflammation while your body heals. These medications don’t address the root cause but can make day-to-day life more manageable while further treatment takes effect.
Doctors helping with vertigo may also recommend vestibular rehabilitation therapy. This form of physical therapy uses specialized exercises to retrain your brain and inner ear, helping them work together more effectively. It can improve balance, reduce dizziness, and build confidence in daily activities.
Finally, if your condition is more complex, a physician can refer you to the right specialists. Depending on your needs, this might include an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor or a neurologist, who can provide additional testing and advanced treatment options. In every step, a doctor’s role in helping vertigo is to guide you toward answers and solutions that fit your unique situation.
The Bottom Line: Have Vertigo? Reach Out to Your Primary Care Doctor
Vertigo can be unsettling, frustrating, and even dangerous if ignored. While at-home tips may help in the short term, the best step you can take is to schedule a visit with a doctor for vertigo whom you trust. At Trailhead Clinics, we listen to your concerns, perform the right evaluations, and work with you to find relief. Whether it’s something simple, such as BPPV, or a more complex issue requiring a specialist, we’re here to guide you toward answers and solutions.
If you’re experiencing vertigo, don’t wait. Reach out to Trailhead Clinics today and let our doctors help you treat vertigo and regain balance and peace of mind.