What should I do during a sudden dizzy spell, and when should I see a vestibular specialist?

Which dizziness symptoms need emergency care?

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side
• Trouble speaking or understanding speech
• Double vision or sudden loss of vision
• A sudden, severe headache unlike your usual headaches
• Being unable to stand or walk
• Chest pain, fainting or a racing or irregular heartbeat

These can signal a stroke or a heart problem¹. Call 911 rather than driving yourself.

What can I do at home while I wait to be seen?

Move slowly, sit on the edge of the bed before standing, keep a light on at night and clear trip hazards. Drink fluids if you have been vomiting. Avoid trying repositioning maneuvers from videos until the side and canal are confirmed, because the wrong maneuver can make BPPV worse². Medicines for nausea can help for a day or two; ask your doctor before relying on them for longer.

Do I need a referral to see a vestibular physical therapist in Georgia?

No referral is needed to start. Georgia law lets you begin physical therapy without one; if care continues past 21 days or 8 visits, Georgia requires a referral from your physician, and we coordinate that with your doctor's office. With Traditional Medicare, your physician also signs off on the plan of care. We are out of network with Medicare Advantage plans.

How fast can I get a vertigo appointment in Alpharetta or Cumming?

We hold urgent appointments within 48 hours at both clinics, and our Cumming clinic is open on Saturdays. At the visit we examine your eyes with infrared video goggles to find the cause, and if it is BPPV, treatment with a repositioning maneuver usually starts the same day. Call (470) 380-7007.

Where can I get help in Alpharetta, Cumming and nearby?

Dr. Manan Patel, PT, DPT, TPS and our team of physical therapists see patients from Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Roswell, Cumming, Suwanee, Sugar Hill, Buford, Duluth and Forsyth County at two North Atlanta clinics. Every visit is 60 minutes, one-on-one, and urgent appointments are available within 48 hours. We are in-network with Traditional Medicare, BCBS / Anthem and Tricare, and offer a $129 rate per visit for self-pay and out-of-network plans. Not sure where to start? Take the free symptom self-check, or visit our Alpharetta clinic or Cumming clinic page.

Related care

Related questions

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References

1. Kattah JC, et al. HINTS to diagnose stroke in the acute vestibular syndrome: three-step bedside oculomotor examination more sensitive than early MRI diffusion-weighted imaging. Stroke. 2009.
2. Bhattacharyya N, et al. Clinical Practice Guideline: Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (Update). Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. 2017.

Answered by Dr. Manan Patel, PT, DPT, TPSDoctor of Physical Therapy, Certified Vestibular Specialist and one of the few certified Therapeutic Pain Specialists in North Atlanta, with 15+ years of outpatient care. About Dr. Patel

This answer is general education, not a diagnosis or a substitute for an examination. If you have new or worsening symptoms, contact your doctor. Call 911 for sudden severe dizziness with trouble speaking, weakness, numbness, double vision or a severe headache.