A Visual Guide to Migraine Headaches Tinnitus: Why Are My Ears Ringing? Weird Body Quirks

Medical Author:

Benjamin Wedro, MD, FACEP, FAAEM

Benjamin Wedro, MD, FACEP, FAAEM

Dr. Ben Wedro practices emergency medicine at Gundersen Clinic, a regional trauma center in La Crosse, Wisconsin. His background includes undergraduate and medical studies at the University of Alberta, a Family Practice internship at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario and residency training in Emergency Medicine at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.

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Medical Editor:

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Dr. Charles "Pat" Davis, MD, PhD, is a board certified Emergency Medicine doctor who currently practices as a consultant and staff member for hospitals. He has a PhD in Microbiology (UT at Austin), and the MD (Univ. Texas Medical Branch, Galveston). He is a Clinical Professor (retired) in the Division of Emergency Medicine, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and has been the Chief of Emergency Medicine at UT Medical Branch and at UTHSCSA with over 250 publications.

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When to Seek Medical Care

Because BPPV is a benign disorder, one should seek medical care if there are symptoms that may be associated with stroke (CVA) or infection. Stroke symptoms usually last longer than a few minutes and resolve more slowly; however, if a person is not sure of their symptoms, they should seek medical care immediately.

Individuals should activate the emergency medical system (call 911) if there is weakness or numbness of one side of the body, any loss of vision, or difficulty with speech, especially slurring. These are potential signs of a stroke. If there is fever associated with vertigo, there may be an infection as a potential cause of symptoms. While this may be a viral infection, if fever, stiff neck or sensitivity to light is present, there may be a more serious infection (for example, meningitis) and medical care should be accessed.

Meniere's disease describes the triad of vertigo, decreased hearing, and ringing in the ears (tinnitus). Meniere's disease symptoms are similar to BPPV but may be associated with acoustic neuroma, a benign tumor of the inner ear. Individuals with these symptoms should seek medical care.

Vertigo may cause significant nausea and vomiting. Individuals may be unable to take their routine medications or may become dehydrated. Medical care may be needed for these people.

Individuals with vertigo that do not resolve are at higher risk of falling than the normal population and medical care should be accessed if symptoms persist longer than a few minutes.

Because driving is unsafe for people experiencing vertigo, the person should have a friend or family member take a symptomatic person to obtain medical help.