What Causes Dizziness While I Move My Head?

Posted on Wed, 7 May 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 7 May 2014 Answered on

Tue, 3 Jun 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Hello: I've been experiencing dizziness everytime I move my head with activity. I also experience it while moving around but only when I close my eyes. The dizziness lasts for a few seconds at a time but stops me in place. Also, last night, along with the dizziness, every time I dozed off to sleep, I was jerked out of my sleep feeling like I could not breathe. My heart rate was a little high each time and I did not rest all night. I really need some advice as to if this is something that warrants a trip to the emergency room or not. Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Piyush Ostwal (57 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes you should visit emergency department

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for the query.

The symptoms that you have described are suggestive of vertigo. Vertigo is caused by problems with balancing organs of the body - cerebellum and inner ear. Since you also had embolism in the past, one needs to consider possibility of embolism to these organs causing your current symptoms.

Alternatively it could be benign positional vertigo which settles after treatment, some medical physical maneuvres and vestibular exercises. I would suggest that visit to emergency department is warranted.

If you have any more queries, I will be happy to answer. Good luck.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj