How Do I Know If I Have Vertigo or Dizziness? Vertigo Treatment Guide

Vertigo and Dizziness: A Physiotherapist’s Guide

How Do You Know If You Have Vertigo or Dizziness?

Experiencing dizziness can be both unsettling and confusing. This feeling often raises the question: Is it vertigo or just dizziness? Dizziness encompasses a range of sensations, including feeling faint, woozy, weak, or unsteady. Vertigo, however, is a specific type of dizziness that gives you the sensation that you or your surroundings are spinning or moving.

To determine the specific cause of dizziness, a vestibular physiotherapist or other healthcare professional must conduct a proper evaluation and diagnosis.

Dizziness can also fluctuate day to day, and many people notice symptoms become worse when turning their head, standing up quickly, or walking in busy environments. These patterns can help guide diagnosis.

Our Brisbane physiotherapists provide vertigo treatment physiotherapy to assess your dizziness, identify the cause, and guide effective treatment.

What are the Top 3 Causes of Dizziness?

1. Inner Ear Disorders: The most common culprits include Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), Meniere’s disease, and vestibular neuritis.
2. Neurological Issues: Conditions such as migraines and strokes affect how the brain processes balance.
3. Blood Pressure Changes: Both high and low blood pressure can disrupt equilibrium.

What are the Red Flags for Dizziness?

• Sudden, severe headache
• Chest pain or heart palpitations
• Difficulty speaking or understanding speech
• Vision changes, including double vision
• Weakness or numbness on one side
• Loss of consciousness or fainting

How to Stop Feeling Dizzy

• Sit or lie down until the dizziness passes.
• Hydrate, as dehydration can worsen symptoms.
• Avoid sudden movements.
• Focus on a fixed point to stabilise your balance.

When Dizziness is Serious!

• Red flag symptoms appear.
• Symptoms persist or worsen.
• Dizziness affects daily activities.

What is Vertigo?

Vertigo is a specific type of dizziness characterised by a spinning sensation. It often relates to disorders of the inner ear or vestibular system.

Why Do People Get Vertigo?

• Inner Ear Disorders: BPPV, Meniere’s disease, vestibular neuritis.
• Neurological Issues: Stroke, multiple sclerosis.
• Head or Neck Injuries: Trauma affecting vestibular function.
• Medications: Some drugs list vertigo as a side effect.

How Long Does Vertigo Usually Last?

• BPPV: Brief episodes under 1 minute.
• Meniere’s Disease: Episodes lasting 20 minutes to 24 hours.
• Vestibular Neuritis: Symptoms resolving over several days to weeks.

Vertigo Treatment Options

What Is the Best Therapy for Vertigo?

• Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT): Exercises that retrain the brain.
• Canalith Repositioning Manoeuvres: Effective for BPPV.
• Diet and Lifestyle: Helpful for Meniere’s disease.
• Medication: Used to reduce associated symptoms.

How Do You Get Vertigo to Go Away?

• Epley Manoeuver: Helpful for posterior canal BPPV. For the fastest results, see a vestibular physiotherapist.
• Medication: For nausea or underlying medical issues.
• VRT: Strengthens balance systems.
• Lifestyle: Reduce caffeine, alcohol, tobacco; stay hydrated; manage stress.

Related Articles

1. Cervicogenic Dizziness & Cervical Vertigo
2. Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy
3. BPPV Symptoms
4. Vestibular Migraine
5. Vertigo Causes
6. Vestibular FAQs
7. How to Improve Balance
8. The Four Types of Dizziness

Research and Guidelines

These recommendations align with recognised vertigo research and clinical guidelines:

• Bhattacharyya et al. BPPV Clinical Practice Guideline (Update), 2017.
• Hall et al. Vestibular Rehabilitation for Hypofunction – Updated Guideline, 2022.
• Healthdirect Australia – Dizziness overview.

If vertigo or dizziness is limiting your daily life, a physiotherapy assessment can clarify the cause and begin targeted treatment. Our team can perform vestibular tests, provide vertigo treatment physiotherapy, and guide you through exercises that improve balance and confidence.