Brain & Nervous System Health Center
Dizziness: Lightheadedness and Vertigo - Emergencies
Step One
Step Two
Do you have any of the following symptoms that require emergency treatment? Call 911 or other emergency services immediately.
- Loss of consciousness and inability to rouse the person
- Signs of shock
- Seizure (convulsion)
- Sudden, severe vertigo with nausea or vomiting and the inability to walk or stand
- Persistent loss of function, such as:
- •Partial or complete inability to move (paralysis) a part or all of one side of the body (face, arm, and leg), or persistent numbness
- •Loss of vision in one or both eyes
- •Confusion or altered behavior, such as unusual aggressive or combative behavior
- •Inability to speak, difficulty speaking, or difficulty understanding speech
- Sudden, severe headache and is the worst headache you have ever had
- Chest pain that is crushing or squeezing, increases in intensity, or occurs with any other symptoms of a heart attack
- Sudden
change in your normal heart rate (pulse rate less than 50 or more than 150
beats per minute). Note: To check your heart rate, see
taking a
pulse
. - Heart
palpitations with any of the following symptoms:
- •Chest pain
- •Shortness of breath
- •Decreased alertness
- •Vision changes
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Last Updated:
February 27, 2007
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor.
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information.
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