Dizziness & Vertigo Treatment
Dizziness is a broad term people use for several uncomfortable sensations—feeling faint or lightheaded, off-balance or “woozy,” or like the room is moving. Clinically, dizziness reflects a problem with spatial orientation: the body’s systems that tell you where you are in space aren’t lining up. A dizzy spell isn’t always dangerous, but it can be alarming and sometimes points to serious conditions such as stroke or heart issues. Even when the cause is mild, dizziness can still lead to falls and injuries, so it deserves attention—especially if it’s persistent, recurrent, or accompanied by other symptoms.
Dizziness can happen while moving, standing still, or lying down. You may notice:
Feeling faint or lightheaded
Nausea or queasiness
Unsteadiness, veering when you walk, or a sense of imbalance
A vague “woozy” or foggy feeling
Dizziness vs. Vertigo—What’s the Difference?
Vertigo is a specific type of dizziness that feels like motion when there is none. People often describe it as:
Spinning
Swaying or tilting
Floating or a “boat-on-waves” sensation
Intense vertigo can cause significant nausea and make it hard—or unsafe—to drive or walk. Not all dizziness is vertigo, but when vertigo is present, inner-ear causes are common.
What Causes Dizziness?
Balance relies on a well-coordinated loop among the inner ear (vestibular system), eyes, brain, heart, and blood vessels. Problems in any of these can trigger symptoms.
Common causes include:
Inner-ear disorders (very common)
BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo): brief, intense spinning with head position changes (rolling in bed, looking up).
Meniere’s disease: vertigo spells with ear fullness, tinnitus, and fluctuating hearing loss.
Vestibular neuritis/labyrinthitis or ear infections: often after a viral illness; can cause hours–days of vertigo, imbalance, and nausea.
Treatment may include symptom relief (anti-nausea or vestibular medications) and, when indicated, antibiotics, antivirals, or steroids.
Dehydration, low blood pressure, or anemia
Standing quickly can drop blood pressure (orthostatic hypotension), leading to lightheadedness.Medication effects
Blood pressure medicines, sedatives, some antidepressants, and others can cause dizziness, especially with dose changes.Migraine
Vestibular migraines can cause dizzy spells with or without headache.Cardiovascular issues
Abnormal heart rhythms, reduced blood flow, or, rarely, heart attack can present with dizziness or fainting.Neurologic conditions
Stroke or TIA can present with sudden dizziness, especially when paired with other neurologic signs.Metabolic causes
Low blood sugar, thyroid disorders, or electrolyte imbalances.Anxiety or panic
Can cause feelings of lightheadedness, breathlessness, or derealization.
When Should You Seek Care?
If your dizziness doesn’t go away or keeps coming back, talk with a healthcare provider. Seek emergency care immediately (call 911) if dizziness occurs with any of the following:
Double or blurred vision
Fainting (syncope)
High fever
Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the face, arm, or leg
Slurred speech, severe headache, confusion, or a stiff neck
Trouble walking, a sudden fall, or inability to keep your balance
These can signal stroke, serious infection, or heart problems and should be treated as emergencies.
What to Expect at iCare ER & Urgent Care (Frisco, Forney & Fort Worth)
When you visit an iCare location, our team of exceptional, ER-experienced physicians and clinicians will:
Assess your current status quickly — checking vital signs, oxygen level, hydration, and gait/balance.
Review your medical history and medications — recent illnesses, triggers, new prescriptions, migraine history, and cardiac risk factors.
Perform a focused physical and neurologic exam — including inner-ear/eye exams and positional testing (e.g., looking for nystagmus).
Order tests when indicated — such as EKG, labs (electrolytes, blood counts, blood sugar), and X-ray or other imaging if needed to evaluate for complications or alternative causes.
Provide treatment based on your diagnosis — options may include IV or oral fluids, anti-nausea or vestibular medications, and canalith repositioning maneuvers (for BPPV), like the Epley maneuver. We’ll also address contributing factors—medication side effects, dehydration, or blood pressure changes—and give clear, step-by-step aftercare instructions.
If advanced procedures, imaging, or hospital observation are necessary, we’ll coordinate rapid transfer and communicate directly with the receiving team so your care continues seamlessly.
Home Care & Prevention Tips
Hydrate, especially during illness, heat, or exercise.
Rise slowly from lying or sitting to reduce lightheadedness.
Avoid alcohol or sedatives that worsen dizziness unless prescribed and monitored.
Keep a symptom diary (timing, triggers, head positions, new meds) to help pinpoint causes.
If you’ve been diagnosed with BPPV, learn your repositioning exercises and when to repeat them.
Fall-proof your environment: good lighting, no loose rugs, handrails where needed.
iCare Differentiators
ER & Urgent Care under one roof — right-sized care in one visit, with immediate escalation if your condition changes.
ER-trained providers — experienced in evaluating dizziness, vertigo, potential stroke, and cardiac causes.
On-site diagnostics — EKG, labs, and imaging available for faster answers and safer decisions.
Pediatric & adult care — age-appropriate evaluation and family-centered communication.
Short waits + online check-in — walk in or reserve your spot online to reduce lobby time.
Seamless hospital transfer — expedited coordination and warm handoff when higher-level care is needed.
Clear after-care — practical instructions, return precautions, and follow-up planning so you know exactly what to do next.
Bottom line: Dizziness is common, but it shouldn’t be ignored—especially if it’s new, severe, recurrent, or paired with warning signs. For life-threatening symptoms, call 911. For same-day evaluation of dizziness or vertigo in Frisco or Fort Worth, visit iCare ER & Urgent Care—walk-ins welcome or check in online now.