vertigo travel health tips

Overview

Vertigo is a type of dizziness that makes you feel like you or the world around you is spinning or moving, even when you are still. It is often a sign of a problem in the inner ear or the balance system. It is not a disease by itself — it is a symptom of another condition.

Yes. Vertigo is very common. About one in five adults will have an episode at some point. It is one of the most frequent reasons for visiting a family doctor or an ear, nose, and throat specialist.

Vertigo can happen at any age, but it is more common in adults over 50. It also occurs more often in women than in men. People who have had head injuries, ear infections, or migraine headaches are also more likely to experience it.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• A spinning, rocking, or tilting feeling that comes and goes
• Difficulty balancing or walking in a straight line
• Nausea or vomiting
• Sweating, paleness, or clammy skin
• A feeling of pressure in the ear or ringing in the ears
• Headache or a sense of fullness in the head

Symptoms in children

• Sudden unsteadiness that makes them stop playing or walk oddly
• Crying, irritability, or clinging because they cannot explain how they feel
• Vomiting or feeling sick during or after the dizzy spell

Symptoms in older adults

• A feeling of being off-balance rather than extreme spinning
• Increased risk of falls, especially at night or when getting up from a chair
• Dizziness when turning over in bed or tipping the head backward
• Lightheadedness when standing up quickly

Causes

Main causes

• Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) — tiny calcium crystals in the inner ear move into a place they should not be, triggering a spinning sensation with certain head movements.
• Vestibular neuritis or labyrinthitis — inflammation in the inner ear, often after a viral infection.
• Meniere's disease — a condition where extra fluid builds up in the inner ear, causing vertigo, hearing changes, and ringing.
• Vestibular migraine — a type of migraine that causes dizziness or vertigo, sometimes without a headache.
• Less common causes include reduced blood flow to the brain, head injury, or certain medicines.

Risk factors

• Being 50 years old or older
• A history of ear infections or head injury
• Migraine headaches
• Anxiety or stress
• Taking some medicines that can affect balance or blood pressure (ask your doctor or pharmacist)

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• If your vertigo is severe, does not improve after a few hours, or comes with any of the urgent or emergency symptoms above
• If you fall and hit your head while having vertigo
• If you cannot keep food or fluids down because of nausea

Book a routine appointment if:

• If you have repeated episodes of vertigo that are interfering with your work, sleep, or daily life
• If you are planning a trip and want advice on managing vertigo while away from home
• If you need a medical certificate to say you are fit to fly, or guidance about travel insurance

Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms, when they happen, and what makes them worse. They may examine your ears and do simple tests to watch your eye movements and balance. This helps them identify whether the problem is in your inner ear, your brain, or another part of your body.

Tests that may be done

• Hearing tests, if you have hearing loss or ringing in the ears
• A Dix-Hallpike test, which moves your head and body into a specific position to see if it triggers vertigo
• Balance tests such as video nystagmography (VNG), which measures eye movements
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) if the doctor needs to look at the brain or inner ear

What to expect at your appointment

The appointment usually lasts 30 to 60 minutes. You do not need to do anything special to prepare, but it can help to write down a few notes about your symptoms first. After the examination, the doctor will explain what they found and suggest next steps.

Treatment

Treatment for vertigo depends on the underlying cause. For many people, vertigo improves on its own within a few weeks. In other cases, simple repositioning exercises or balance retraining can reduce symptoms. Medicines can also be used, but they are not always the first choice.

Self-care at home

• Move your head slowly, especially when turning in bed or standing up
• Sit or lie down when the spinning feeling starts, and focus on still objects to reduce it
• Keep a small bag with water, a snack, your medicines, and a note about your condition when you travel
• If you feel sick, eat plain crackers or biscuits and sip water slowly
• Ask a travel companion to walk beside you and offer their arm for support if you feel unsteady

Medical treatments

Your doctor may recommend a type of physical therapy called vestibular rehabilitation. This involves a trained therapist guiding you through exercises that help your brain adjust to the unbalanced signals from your ear. For certain types of positional vertigo, a doctor or physiotherapist can perform a repositioning maneuver that moves the tiny crystals back to where they belong. Medicines may also be prescribed to reduce nausea or motion sickness, but you should always discuss the benefits and risks with your provider and never share them with others. No treatment should be started without a doctor's advice.

When is surgery considered?

Surgery is rarely needed for vertigo. It may be considered for severe cases of Meniere's disease or other inner ear conditions that do not get better with standard treatment. A specialist ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor will discuss this option only if it is right for you.

Living with this condition

Living with vertigo can be unpredictable, but a few simple routines can help you feel more prepared. Keep your home well lit and keep floors clear of clutter. Always stand up slowly after sitting or lying down. When you travel, plan extra time for transfers, and do not hesitate to ask for assistance at airports, stations, or on public transport.

Lifestyle tips

• Keep a stable routine for meals, fluids, and sleep to avoid extra strain on your balance
• Use a walking stick or railings if you feel unsteady, especially on stairs
• Avoid sudden turns of your head when walking or driving
• Consider wearing a medical ID bracelet if you have a condition that can cause sudden vertigo
• Tell your travel companions what to do if you become seriously dizzy (e.g., help you sit down, do not panic, call for help if you do not recover quickly)

Diet and exercise

A balanced diet and staying hydrated are important for overall balance. Some people notice that salty foods, alcohol, or caffeine make their vertigo worse. Try to identify your personal triggers. Gentle activities like walking or tai chi can help your balance, but avoid movements that cause a dizzy spell. Always ask your doctor before starting a new exercise program.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

Vertigo can be stressful and sometimes frightening. You may worry about when the next episode will happen, especially when you are far from home. Anxiety can even make dizziness worse. Remember that this is a normal response. Talking to a friend, a family member, or a mental health professional can help. Practising slow breathing or mindfulness during a dizzy spell can also help you stay calm. If you ever have thoughts of harming yourself, reach out to your local emergency services or a crisis line right away.

Prevention

Vertigo cannot always be prevented, but you can take steps to reduce the effect it has on your life. Move your head more slowly, avoid sudden position changes, and make your home safer to prevent falls. If your vertigo is triggered by a particular movement, such as tipping your head back, you can learn to avoid that movement.

Vaccines

There is no vaccine that specifically prevents vertigo. However, keeping up to date with routine vaccines can help you avoid certain infections, like influenza or shingles, that might trigger problems in the inner ear.

Screening programmes

There is no routine screening test for vertigo in people without symptoms. If you have repeated dizzy spells, your doctor can do a range of tests to find out the cause and recommend a treatment plan.

Complications

If left untreated

• Falls that cause bruises, sprains, or broken bones
• Dehydration and electrolyte problems from persistent vomiting
• A greater risk of work or driving accidents if you get dizzy at the wrong time
• Anxiety or avoidance of social activities because of worrying about dizzy spells

Long-term outlook

The outlook for vertigo is generally very good. Many people recover within a few days to weeks, even without treatment. For chronic vertigo, new techniques and therapies can significantly reduce symptoms. Most people can continue to travel and live active, full lives with the right preparation and support.

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