Dizziness: Lightheadedness And Vertigo: Emergencies

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Emergencies

emergency

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
In adults and older children

In children

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

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Last updated:	February 27, 2007
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, Colin Chalk, MD, CM, FRCPC - Neurology
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer

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