Many individuals don’t see vertigo (a sudden loss of balance for reasons unknown, or for standing too quickly) as an issue to see the doctor for. But the truth is that when symptoms persist longer than a few hours or become a daily occurrence it may be time to take a trip to the clinic.

Dizziness is one of the most common complaints heard in a doctor’s office, the second most common actually, and it will affect 70% of the U.S’s population at some point in their lives. The feeling of a loss of balance can be disorientating, irritating, and make a person frustrated, especially if it results in a fall.

But when does it become a situation to visit an urgent care or walk-in clinic?

The situations when a spout of dizziness can be serious depends on the origin of the feeling. Structures in your ears aid in maintaining balance, and so when these structures are changed or damaged, it might lead to a loss of footing. This can lead to severe vertigo, which can cause nausea and vomiting, as well as other effects. This may also be paired with a migraine.

In most cases vertigo is temporary, but if it lasts longer than a day or two, it may be time to see a doctor. The urgent care clinics are equipped with the ability to diagnose the symptoms and find the cause of vertigo. In cases associated with the ears or a migraine, it might be a build up of fluid in the inner ear or ear inflammation.

Other reasons for vertigo are a sudden drop in blood pressure, usually associated with faintness while dizzy. Muscle problems are another source of balance loss. Both of these are important to bring to the attention of your doctor.

There have been estimates that 65% of individuals older than 60 years experience dizziness or loss of balance, often on a daily basis. Daily vertigo could be a sign of something more severe and should be addressed immediately, especially if it persists longer than a week. Especially in the case of the elderly.

Taking a measure of how long your vertigo lasts can help pinpoint the cause, and find a solution to the problem.

So the next time you have a sudden feeling of vertigo, take a measure of how long it lasts, and if there’s any other aches or pains. It might be time to see the doctor! See this link for more.