Dizziness and Vertigo Information for Patients
Conditions we assess, what to expect at your appointment, and how to book
Not Sure What's Causing Your Dizziness?
Choose the description that best matches your experience for general information about what it might be and what to do next. This is general information only — not a diagnosis. Always see a doctor for a proper assessment.
Select a description on the left to see general information here.
Often associated with: BPPV
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo causes brief spinning triggered by head-position changes (rolling over, looking up). It is common. Repositioning manoeuvres are an established treatment for BPPV (Bhattacharyya et al., Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, 2017); benefit varies between individuals, some people need more than one treatment, and recurrence is possible.
What you can do: See your GP or a vestibular medicine doctor for assessment and treatment.
Often associated with: Ménière's disease or other inner-ear conditions
Repeated attacks of spinning lasting minutes to hours, with ear fullness, fluctuating hearing or ringing, can point to an inner-ear cause such as Ménière's disease.
What you can do: Keep a diary of your attacks and see a clinician. Dietary and trigger management is commonly discussed; benefit varies between individuals.
Often associated with: Vestibular neuritis
A single prolonged episode of spinning lasting days, often after a viral illness and without hearing change, may be vestibular neuritis (inflammation of the balance nerve).
What you can do: Recovery varies between individuals. Vestibular rehabilitation is an established treatment (Hall et al., Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy, 2022), and prolonged use of sedating vestibular suppressants is generally discouraged. Discuss medication use with your doctor.
Often associated with: Vestibular migraine
Dizziness with headache, light or sound sensitivity, or visual triggers is commonly vestibular migraine — even when there is little or no headache.
What you can do: Trigger management (sleep, hydration, stress, diet) and migraine treatments are options to discuss with a clinician; benefit varies between individuals.
Often associated with: PPPD or visually-induced dizziness
Constant rocking, swaying or unsteadiness that is worse in busy visual places (supermarkets, screens) may be persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD) or visually-induced dizziness — sometimes starting after a boat or long trip.
What you can do: Vestibular rehabilitation and certain medications are options to discuss with a clinician; benefit varies between individuals.
Often associated with: Orthostatic hypotension or POTS
Feeling light-headed or faint on standing usually reflects a blood-pressure or heart-rate cause rather than the inner ear, such as orthostatic hypotension or POTS.
What you can do: Stand up slowly, keep well hydrated (and discuss salt intake with your doctor), and see your GP. Management may include simple measures and, in some cases, medication.
An assessment can help investigate the cause and guide management. This guide does not replace medical advice — if your symptoms are severe or sudden, seek urgent medical care.
Dizziness can be frightening and isolating — whether it's vertigo, imbalance, persistent unsteadiness, or motion sensitivity. At Sydney Dizziness Clinic our vestibular medicine doctor combines a structured history and examination with recorded vestibular function testing to investigate the cause and, where one is found, agree a management plan with you.
Conditions We Treat
We diagnose and manage a wide range of vestibular and balance disorders across all age groups. Below is a list of vestibular and balance conditions assessed at the clinic.
Conditions We Assess
Inner Ear and Migraine-Related Causes
- Vestibular Migraine (Definite) – A type of migraine that causes episodes of vertigo or dizziness
- Vestibular Migraine (Probable) – Migraine-related dizziness that meets most but not all criteria for a definite diagnosis
- Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) – Brief episodes of vertigo triggered by specific head movements
Show all conditions we manage
Other Vestibular Causes
- Ménière's Disease (Definite) – An inner ear disorder causing vertigo, hearing loss, and tinnitus
- Postural Hypotension – A drop in blood pressure upon standing, leading to dizziness
- Other Neurological Diseases – Conditions like Parkinson's Disease, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, and Multiple System Atrophy affecting balance
- Peripheral Neuropathy – Nerve conditions in the limbs that impair gait and balance
- Presbystasis (Age-Related Loss of Balance) – Balance problems due to ageing, as the inner ear, eyes and limb sensors all decline
- Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD) – Chronic dizziness often triggered by visual stimuli or motion
- Undifferentiated Diagnosis – Dizziness that doesn't fit into a specific category
- Paediatric Migraine Syndrome Including Vestibular Migraine – Migraine-related dizziness in children
- Non-Specific Dizziness – Dizziness linked to factors like insomnia, stress, anxiety, or caffeine
- Vestibular Paroxysmia – Short, repeated attacks of dizziness caused by irritation of the balance and hearing nerve
- Central Vestibular Pathology – Balance issues caused by problems in the brain or brainstem
Central and Systemic Causes
- Bilateral Vestibulopathy – Loss of balance function in both inner ears
- Mal de Débarquement Syndrome – Persistent sensation of rocking or swaying, often after travel
- Central Positional Vertigo – Dizziness related to central nervous system disorders, triggered by head movements
- Other Non-Acute Vestibular Dysfunction – Long-standing balance disorders that are not sudden or severe
- Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) – A condition causing dizziness upon standing, especially in young people
- Post-Concussion Related Dizziness – Dizziness that persists after a head injury
- Anxiety Disorder Affecting Balance – Balance issues related to anxiety or psychological health
- Superior Vestibular Neuritis – Sudden severe dizziness due to inflammation of the upper part of the balance nerve
- Ménière's Disease (Probable) – Symptoms suggest Ménière's disease but do not fulfil all criteria
- Acute Vestibulo-Cochlear Syndrome – Sudden onset of dizziness with hearing loss
- Inferior Vestibular Neuritis – Inflammation of the lower part of the balance nerve, causing dizziness
- Cervicogenic Dizziness or Vertigo – Dizziness linked to neck problems
- Anxiety Disorder Presenting as Dizziness – Dizziness that appears mainly as a symptom of anxiety
- Episodic Vertigo without Auditory Symptoms – Spells of dizziness with no hearing changes
- Pan-Vestibular Neuritis – Widespread inflammation affecting the entire inner ear on one side
Taking the Next Step
If you're experiencing dizziness, imbalance, or unexplained vertigo — even if your symptoms don't match the conditions listed above — please reach out to us. We are happy to assess your symptoms and discuss the options with you.
Contact UsTreatments and Care at Sydney Dizziness Clinic
Successful management of dizziness and balance disorders is built on accurate diagnosis and individualised treatment. Management commonly combines several approaches, which may include education about the condition, lifestyle guidance, medication if indicated, particle repositioning techniques like the Epley manoeuvre if indicated, and appropriate investigation or referral.
Management of Vestibular Migraine
Definite and probable
We manage vestibular migraine by:
- Education
- Reassurance
- Lifestyle changes and advice
- Targeted vestibular rehabilitation
- Anti-migraine medications and other supportive treatments
BPPV Management
We treat benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) with in-clinic particle repositioning manoeuvres — the Epley manoeuvre for posterior canal BPPV, the barbecue (Lempert) roll for lateral canal BPPV, and additional techniques for rarer canal variants.
Treatment for Ménière's Disease
Medical management aims to reduce the frequency and severity of attacks; individual response varies and adverse effects are possible — combining lifestyle and dietary changes, regular audiology review, medication as required, and other supportive treatments. Referral for intratympanic steroid or gentamicin injection with an ENT surgeon is arranged where indicated.
Vestibular Rehabilitation
With a local vestibular physiotherapist, where available
Exercise-based rehabilitation, individualised to your assessment. Vestibular rehabilitation is an established treatment (Hall et al., Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy, 2022); benefit varies between individuals. Used for conditions such as:
- Labyrinthitis and vestibular neuritis
- Bilateral vestibular failure
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Other causes of imbalance
Targeted Medication Treatment
Condition-specific medication, carefully selected and monitored, for diagnoses such as vestibular paroxysmia, persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD), mal de débarquement syndrome, and other vestibular conditions.
Further Investigation
For more complex presentations, we arrange targeted investigations — such as imaging (MRI or CT), nerve conduction studies, and specific blood tests — to help investigate the cause, which is not identified in every case.
Lifestyle & Falls Prevention
For patients with imbalance, we provide practical guidance on home modifications, safe movement, and falls prevention — benefit varies between individuals.
Targeted Referrals
When dizziness stems from complex neurological, geriatric, cardiovascular, or other medical causes, we refer you to the right specialist — with a clear clinical summary so your care stays coordinated.
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Tailored for Your Needs
Your treatment plan is built around your individual diagnosis and goals. Some patients need only one or two sessions, while others benefit from ongoing support. We communicate with your GP and any other providers to support coordinated care.
Find Your Nearest Clinic
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Telehealth Consultations
Can't easily travel to one of our Sydney clinic locations? No problem. We offer telehealth consultations, so you can access dedicated vestibular care from the comfort of your home — anywhere in New South Wales.
Benefits of Telehealth with Us
- Structured assessment via secure video consultation
- Tailored management plans and rehabilitation guidance
- No travel time or costs
Patient Resources
FAQs About Dizziness & Balance
Have questions about your symptoms? Our FAQ section just below covers common concerns about dizziness, treatment, and recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Vestibular medicine doctor is a descriptive term for a medical practitioner who works primarily in the assessment and management of dizziness, vertigo and balance disorders. It is not an AHPRA-recognised specialty, specialist registration or endorsement.