Dizziness: 3 types (and why the details matter)

“Dizzy” can mean very different things — and the type helps narrow the cause.

✔️ Spinning (room moving) → often inner ear (vertigo), but sudden severe vertigo can also be a stroke
✔️ Lightheaded (about to faint) → often blood pressure changes, dehydration, medication effects, anemia, or heart rhythm issues
✔️ Off-balance (walking feels unstable) → can be inner ear, neuropathy, vision problems, medication effects, or neurologic causes

✔️ Track these 4 details (they matter):
• What you mean by “dizzy” (spinning vs lightheaded vs off-balance)
• How long it lasts (seconds, minutes, hours)
• Trigger (standing up? rolling in bed? head turns?)
• Associated symptoms (nausea, hearing changes, headache, double vision, numbness, weakness)

🚨 Call 911 / go to the ER NOW if dizziness/vertigo is sudden and severe OR occurs with any of the following:
• new weakness or numbness (face/arm/leg)
• facial droop
• trouble speaking or understanding
• new trouble walking, falling, or inability to stand
• double vision or new vision loss
• severe sudden headache
• new severe incoordination

📌 Educational only.

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Question: Which one fits you best — spinning, lightheaded, or off-balance?

📍 Palm Harbor / Clearwater: If dizziness is recurring, call Countryside Neurology to schedule an evaluation.