Feeling dizzy, light-headed, or like the room is spinning?

You might be experiencing vertigo—and it’s more common than you think.

Vertigo isn’t just a bit of dizziness. It’s a specific sensation that either you or your surroundings are moving when they’re not. For some people, it can feel like being on a boat, or suddenly losing balance when turning your head. It can be unsettling and, at times, even frightening.

There are a few common reasons this happens. Often, vertigo is related to the inner ear, which plays a big role in our balance. One of the most common causes is something called BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo). It’s usually triggered by changes in head position—things like rolling over in bed, tilting your head up, or bending down. These episodes are often brief but can be quite intense.

Other possible causes include inner ear infections like vestibular neuritis or labyrinthitis, which can come on suddenly and sometimes include symptoms like hearing loss or ringing in the ears. Some people experience migraine-related vertigo, even without the headache. And in more chronic cases, conditions like Meniere’s disease can cause repeated vertigo along with hearing issues or a feeling of pressure in the ears.

Sometimes dizziness might also come from things like low blood pressure or side effects of medication, so it’s always worth looking into—especially if it becomes more frequent.

So when should you see someone? If the vertigo:

• Lasts more than a couple of days

• Is accompanied by hearing loss or ringing

• Causes nausea or vomiting

• Makes walking or driving feel unsafe

• Started after a head injury or infection

• Seems to be getting worse over time

  
  

…it’s time to get it checked. Start by speaking with your GP, and if more specialised care is needed, they may refer you to an ENT specialist for further assessment.