Preparing for an appointment

Make an appointment with your doctor if you have symptoms common to BPPV. After an initial examination, your doctor may refer you to an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist or a doctor who specializes in the brain and nervous system (neurologist).

Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment.

What you can do

• Write down your symptoms, including when they started and how often they occur.
• Note any recent blows to your head, including even minor accidents or injuries.
• Make a list of your key medical information, including any other conditions for which you're being treated and the names of any medications, vitamins and supplements you're taking.
• Write down questions to ask your doctor. Creating your list of questions can help you make the most of your time with your doctor.

Questions to ask the doctor at the initial appointment include:

• What are the possible causes of my symptoms or condition?
• What tests do you recommend?
• If these tests don't pinpoint the cause of my symptoms, what additional tests might I need?
• Do I need to follow any restrictions while waiting for a diagnosis?
• Should I see a specialist?

Questions to ask if you are referred to a specialist include:

• What treatments are most likely to help me feel better?
• How soon after beginning treatment should my symptoms start to improve?
• If the first treatment doesn't work, what will you recommend next?
• Am I a candidate for surgery? Why or why not?
• What self-care steps can help me manage this condition?
• Do I need to restrict my activities? For how long?
• Am I at risk of this problem recurring?
• I have these other health conditions. How can I manage these conditions together?
• What handouts or websites do you recommend for learning more about BPPV?

What to expect from your doctor

A doctor who sees you for symptoms common to BPPV may ask a number of questions, such as:

• What are your symptoms, and when did you first notice them?
• Do your symptoms come and go? How often?
• How long do your symptoms last?
• Does anything in particular seem to trigger your symptoms, such as certain types of movement or activity?
• Do your symptoms include vision problems?
• Do your symptoms include nausea or vomiting?
• Do your symptoms include headache?
• Have you lost any hearing?
• Are you being treated for any other medical conditions?