Dizziness: Lightheadedness and Vertigo

Preparing For Your Appointment

To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment.

You can help your doctor diagnose and treat your condition by being prepared to answer the following questions:

• What is your major symptom, lightheadedness or vertigo?
• How long have you had your symptoms? Do they come and go, or are they always present?
• What were you doing when your symptoms started?
• How often do you experience dizziness?
• What makes your symptoms better or worse?
• Do you have other symptoms that may be related to your major symptom? Symptoms may include:
  • Changes in vision, such as blurred or double vision, halos, or spots.
  • Chest pain.
  • Confusion.
  • Fainting or falling.
  • Heart palpitations, irregular heartbeat, or an unusually slow or fast heart rate.
  • Nausea or vomiting.
  • Numbness or tingling.
  • Weakness or changes in your ability to stand or walk.
  • Ringing in the ears (tinnitus) or loss of hearing.
  • Shortness of breath or a feeling of suffocation.
• What medicines do you take? Make a list of both prescription and nonprescription medicines you use.
• Do you have any health risks?

Before seeing your doctor, it may be helpful to keep track of your symptoms. Use the questions above as a guide for what to include in your diary of symptoms (What is a PDF document?).

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Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated: January 13, 2009
Medical Review:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
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