Exams and Tests

• A doctor will ask you questions that help determine whether or not the cause is serious. These questions will include the following:
  
  
  • How quickly the symptoms began
    
    
  • Whether they are worse with head movement
    
    
  • What other medical problems you have
    
    
  • What medications you are taking
    
    
  • What other symptoms you have
  
  
• The doctor then will perform an exam that focuses on your ears and nervous system.
  
  
  • The physician may try to reproduce the symptoms by quickly turning your head or changing your body position.
    
    
  • The doctor may then prescribe a trial therapy with medications or special maneuvers while you are still in the office or emergency department to see if they work.
  
  
• If the physician strongly suspects a more serious cause, the doctor may order a CT scan or MRI of your head.
  
  
• A doctor usually can tell by a physical examination whether more serious conditions exist. If suspected, or if symptoms worsen or continue over time, a doctor may seek an opinion from an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist or neurologist.