Home Care:

If you tend to get light-headed when you stand up:

• Avoid sudden changes in posture.
• Get up from a lying position slowly, and stay seated for a few moments before standing.
• When standing, make sure you have something to hold on to.

If you have vertigo, the following tips can help prevent your symptoms from becoming worse:

• Keep still and rest when symptoms occur.
• Avoid sudden movements or position changes.
• Slowly increase activity.
• You may need a cane or other help walking when you have a loss of balance during a vertigo attack.
• Avoid bright lights, TV, and reading during a vertigo attacks, because they may make symptoms worse.

Avoid activities such as driving, operating heavy machinery, and climbing until 1 week after your symptoms disappear. A sudden dizzy spell during these activities can be dangerous.

Call your health care provider if:

Call your local emergency number (such as 911) or go to an emergency room if you are dizzy and have:

• A head injury
• Fever over 101°F, headache, or very stiff neck
• Seizures
• Trouble keeping fluids down
• Chest pain
• Heart skipping beats
• Shortness of breath
• Weakness
• Inability to move an arm or leg
• Change in vision or speech
• Fainting and losing alertness for more than a few minutes

Call your doctor for an appointment if you have:

• Dizziness for the first time
• New or worsening symptoms
• Dizziness after taking medication
• Hearing loss

What to expect at your health care provider's office:

Your doctor will perform a physical exam and ask questions about your medical history and symptoms, including:

• When did your dizziness begin?
• Does your dizziness occur when you move?
• What other symptoms occur when you feel dizzy?
• Are you always dizzy or does the dizziness come and go?
• How long does the dizziness last?
• Were you sick with a cold, flu, or other illness before the dizziness began?
• Do you have a significant amount of stress or anxiety?

Tests that may be done include:

• Blood pressure reading
• ECG
• Hearing tests
• Balance testing (ENG)
• MRI

Your health care provider may prescribe medications to help you feel better, including:

• Antihistamines
• Sedatives
• Anti-nausea medication

Surgery may be needed if you have Meniere's disease.

Prevention:

If you have a cold, the flu, or other viral illness, drink plenty of fluids to prevent getting dehydrated.