Vertigo
Your GP will ask about your symptoms and carry out some simple tests to help them make an accurate diagnosis.
In some cases, you may be referred for some further tests.
Your GP will first want to know:
Your GP may also carry out a physical examination to check for signs of conditions that may be causing your vertigo. This could include looking inside your ears and checking your eyes for signs of uncontrollable movement (nystagmus).
Your GP may check your balance or try to recreate your symptoms by asking you to move quickly from a sitting to a lying position.
Depending on your symptoms, your GPmay refer youto a hospital or specialist for further tests.
If you have Tinnitus (ringing in your ears) or hearing loss , your GP may refer you to an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist, who can carry outsome hearing tests.
Thesemay include:
Read moreabout how hearing tests are carried out .
Videonystagmography (VNG)is sometimesused to check for signs of nystagmus in more detail. Nystagmus canindicatea problem withthe organs that help you to balance.
During this test, special goggles are placed over your eyes and you'll be asked to look at various still and moving targets. The goggles are fitted with a video camera to record the movements of your eyes.
Electronystagmography may also be used, where electrodes are placed around the eye instead of goggles.
Acaloric testinvolves running warm or cool water or air into your ear for about 30 seconds.The change in temperature stimulates the balance organ in the ear,allowing the specialist to check how well it's working.
This test isn't painful, although it's normal tofeel dizzy during the test. This can sometimes continue for afewminutes afterwards.
A machine to test your balance may be used to give valuable information about how you are using your vision, proprioception (sensations from your feet and joints) andthe input from your ear to maintain balance. This may help to plan your rehabilitation andmonitor your treatment.
In some cases, a scan of your head may be used to look for the cause of your vertigo, such as an acoustic neuroma (a non-cancerous brain tumour).
Usually, eithera magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan ora computerised tomography (CT) scan is used. An MRI scan uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to produce a detailed image of the inside of your head, whereasa CT scan uses a series ofdetailed X-rays to create an image.
Vertigo is a symptom, rather than a condition in itself. It's the sensation that you, or the environment around you, is moving or spinning.
Vertigo is a symptom of several different conditions.
Your GP will ask you about your symptoms and carry out some simple tests to help differentiate between vertigo and general dizziness.
Treatment for vertigo will depend on the cause and severity of your symptoms.