Vertigo: describing the spinning and recognising warning signs

Vertigo is a sensation that you or your surroundings are spinning, rather than any vague dizziness. Describe its duration, recurrence and connection with head movement; causes and treatments differ.

Sit down promptly during an episode and move slowly to reduce falls. Persistent or recurring attacks need assessment. Severe headache, marked vomiting or high temperature alongside vertigo warrants urgent advice.

Spinning with double vision, vision loss, limb weakness, speech difficulty or hearing loss requires emergency care. Do not drive yourself or assume that every spinning sensation comes only from an ear problem.